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ローゼンメイデン 
FLOW - WORLD END (48.6MB, PSP/Quicktime format) | YouTube version
Code Geass returns full circle with this opening since FLOW was the first band that performs OP single for the series. I don't think the song is as good as COLORS but it's definitely better than other attempts at OP theme after COLORS. As a background, the band's origin can be traced back to the time when two brothers Kohshi and Take started playing together. The two then formed FLOW in 1998 and eventually joined by Keigo, Got, and Iwasaki. The special thing about the band is that the two vocals often sing together, producing a rather nice duet for every song that they perform. As for the PV itself, this is definitely better than COLORS (which mostly feature the band members jumping around while singing the song). At least there's a theme of world destruction/revival in this one.
I know this is extremely late but I didn't even get PS3 until very recently so I'm now catching up with games that most people already played. Unless, of course, you're waiting for the PC version of the game because that has just came out a few days ago. To be honest, I was pretty disappointed when I found out that I can't play as Dante right away. Having to play as Nero reminds me of having to play through the majority of MGS2 as Raiden. It doesn't help that Nero has a rather annoying hot-temper personality. I mean Dante is a smug, over-confident bastard but at least he's actually entertaining/amusing and has a lot of charisma as far as video game characters go. The personality of a character didn't seem to be that important in the previous generation games because it's hard to see their facial expressions but it's hard to deny that they are an important point of this generation's games. Thankfully what Nero lacks in, Dante makes up a lot for, so I can't wait until I get to play as him. Before that though, I have to get better at the game.
ON/OFF - Futasu no Kodou to Akai Tsumi (26.7MB, PSP/Quicktime format)
It's been a while since I last heard this song but in general, it's still okay. Having said that, I realized now that part of the reason the song works so well is because it was accompanied by the opening scenes from Vampire Knight. On its own, the song is still pleasant to listen to but the lyrics don't feel as appropriate as it was when it was paired together with the OP scenes. The PV itself is okay but nothing to write home about. It's kind of nice of the singer to make references to Vampire Knight by using chains, red threads, and twin brothers (the singers themselves). But again, I feel some kind of disconnection between the song and the images in the PVs. I kind of miss the scenes where Shiki unleashes out his blood whip and when Zero offers his hand to Yuuki. Those and many other scenes in the OP makes the song a lot more meaningful.
SEAMO - Honey Honey feat. AYUSE KOZUE (25.7MB, PSP/Quicktime format) | Abbreviated Live Performance (YouTube video)
The first time I heard the song as xxxHOLiC Kei ED theme, I thought the song was just okay. I just didn't get the groove of the song in the TV version of the song. Besides, Mokona, as animated as it was, does not really represent the spirit of the song, especially the nature of the duet. As a background, SEAMO is actually a stage name for Naoki Takada, a Japanese rapper/hip-hop artist. This particular song has actually been released beforehand without Ayuse Kozue. The difference between the two songs lies in the final two verses of the song. Instead of repetition of the chorus twice, the song has a new bridge fully performed by Ayuse Kozue and a final chorus which is slightly modified to give Kozue a more singing presence in comparison to the rest of the lyrics, where she can barely be heard.
Utada Hikari - Prisoner of Love (27.3MB, PSP/Quicktime format)
I first heard Utada Hikaru when she sang Hikari/Simple and Clean, the main theme for SquareEnix's/Disney's PS2 game, Kingdom Hearts. I thought the song was fantastic whether it was in English, Japanese, or instrumental. I found out back then that Utada was born in New York to Japanese parents but moved to Tokyo in late 1998. Her birth name is actually 「宇多田光」(her first name written in Kanji instead of Katakana as usually seen in her official performance name). Despite this, I don't pay much attention to her other songs just like I don't pay much attention to songs by other singers unless they really catch my attention. Fast forward summer 2007, Rebuild of Evangelion was released and the film came with a main theme, Beautiful World. I think that song is pretty good and sounds like a representation of what the characters in the movie should feel about their life. Despite this, I don't think the song was memorable as a stand-alone song.
Tackey and Tsubasa - Koiuta (32MB, PSP/Quicktime format) | YouTube version
Update: The 20 minute drama is included below.
This is one of the pre-scheduled posts that I set up in case I can't post any episodic reviews. If you see this then it means Movable Type did its job as it should. If not, then maybe it's time to change blogging software. Anyway, I first heard about Takki (or "Tackey") and Tsubasa when I went to Japan 3 years ago but never been bothered to look for their songs like I do with Ketsumeishi or Kobukuro's works. The name "Takki and Tsubasa" comes from combination of the two singers' name: Takizawa Hideaki and Tsubasa Imai. They are two of the most popular Japanese idols from Johnny and Associates. This particular company usually raises my alarm bell since some of the company's 'talents' seem to be lacking in singing (or acting) talent. It's a good thing that I heard the song first from Osen without knowing who sing it. This way, I judged the song based on its own merit instead of who sang the song. At any rate, they turn out to be pretty good singers and the song is a perfect fit for their singing style.
Orange Range - O2 (NEW - 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 | 
8 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 | 15 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 | 14 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 | 11 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 | 26 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 | 109 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 | 23 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
Kigurumi - Tarako Tarako Tarako (31.4MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
The original Tarako Advert from 2005 (3.96MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Currently sitting at No.2 in Oricon weekly ranking is this peculiar song called Tarako, Tarako, Tarako. My friend in Japan told me about this because the song currently is taking Japan by storm. I have to say this is one of the weirdest things I've ever seen coming from Japan. Apparently the original song came from an advert for a spaghetti with cod roe sauce. However, due to the popularity of the song, people wrote in to the company, asking for the complete song. So now the PV is out and it's one of the most addictive song I've heard. The good thing about the song is that it's actually not that cutesy. In fact, it has a forebodding tone which reminds me of French films like Delicatessen and The City of Lost Children. Plus those kewpie dolls are creepy. For more information about the song and the ad, check out Big in Japan or Youtube.
September 12, 2006 | 6 Comments
Suga Shikao - Natsukage (34.4MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Sorry for the lack of update in the past few days but I'm a bit tired lately. But rest assured, a few more reviews are coming soon. Before that though, I may as well start with this PV. Natsukage is one of the few PVs included in Suga Shikao's new album, Parade. Unfortunately the PV is pretty plain, featuring only Suga Shikao singing the song. In addition to this, the majority of the scenes seem to be repeated over and over again. Having said that, it's not a bad song by any stretch of imagination. It also happens to be the insert song for episode 7 of Honey and Clover II. It was the song that was used when Morita family had to leave their home and go to the city. It's really interesting to see the contrast between this song and Gogo no Parade. It makes me wonder if different song represents Suga's different mood when he wrote each one.
Suneohair - Split | Mirror (30.9MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Suneohair - Split (3.6MB, MP3)
Suneohair's Split is the ending theme for Honey and Clover II. The song is a really good representation of the 2nd season storyline and has a bittersweet note to it just like the series. The PV itself looks unique, to say the least. It features Suneohair performing the song while a ripped black screen covers a quarter of the scene. The result is similar to the album cover for the single, which also shows the lead singer behind a ripped grey screen. And don't worry about the timer, it is meant to be there. If you see it closer, you'll notice that in some instances, the timer is behind the black screen. I also like the way the singer jumps around energetically from one area to another. It makes me feel like I'm watching a live concert. As a sidenote, the MP3 above are just a rip from the PV, so unfortunately it's not that high in quality.
Depapepe - Lahaina (45MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Depapepe is one of the musical groups whose works are featured as background music for Honey and Clover II. I've actually never heard any of their music before Honey and Clover II was announced. However, after hearing samples of their work, I ended up liking their music style. Maybe I'm wrong about this but the background music when Mayama greets the rain drenched Yamada and Rika back in episode 2 sounds like the type of music that Depapepe creates. This PV is basically a soundtrack for a small Japanese film called Catch a Wave and features what I presume to be local scenes from Lahaina, a town in Maui county, Hawaii. Looking at this PV makes me want to go there or Okinawa or other beach where the water is blue and the sand is white. Anyway, there is no lyric for the music because Depapepe don't sing.
Suga Shikao - Gogo no Parade (45.9MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Gogo no Parade is Suga Shikao's latest single and will be released on both his new similarly-titled single and a new album called Parade. I am personally ordering the limited edition album (with the extra DVD) because it contains at least 3 of my favourite Suga Shikao songs: this one, Manatsu no Yoru no Yume (Death Note main theme), and Natsukage. The DVD itself will contain PV of all the new singles that Suga Shikao has recently released. The PV looks a bit silly on a glance but I think it fits the fun, lively nature of the song. Some people have told me before that Mayama's (of Honey and Clover) character design is based on Suga Shikao but I never see the similarity until this PV. There is one part where Suga wears a patterned shirt in this one and he does resemble Mayama a little bit.
Arashi - Aozora Pedal (39.7MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
This is a nice song that serves as the ending theme for Honey and Clover movie. The song was composed and written by Suga Shikao so while hearing the song I can't help but wonder how it'll sound had Suga Shikao sing the song himself. Having said that, the song does sound like it has been written to fit Arashi's image as a pop group and therefore it sounds less melancholic than other Suga Shikao's composition. The PV itself is a typical romantic story PV featuring Sakurai Sho in the lead role. Unfortunately the PV doesn't show anything related to Honey and Clover so it's rather disappointing for those are expecting tie-ins to the film. Although I suppose the story in the PV does resemble the Mayama/Yamada story.
Oku Hanako - Garnet (30MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo - Full Trailer
This is basically the main theme for the upcoming animated feature film, Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo (The girl who leapt through time). I'm actually a lot more interested in this film more than I am of the upcoming Ghibi's feature, Gedo Senki. The story will be an adaptation of a novel of the same name. It is also currently serialised in Shounen Ace as a manga drawn by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Evangelion's main character designer. Sadamoto is also responsible for the movie's character design and on a quick glance, the characters do look like re-iteration of his previous work on Shinji, Kaoru, and Touji. The song is sung by a Oku Hanako, a singer whom unfortunately I'm not familiar with. I personally like this song alot although unfortunately the PV is not that exciting to watch. It's just a shot of the singer walking around a seemingly quiet city. This would have surprised me if I didn't know that in Tokyo, the city does look like that around 4 in the morning.
Yuki - Fugainaiya (25.1MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
I can just imagine the ad that Yuki placed to obtain the extras in this PV: Wanted - Gaijins who are willing to dress up as maid, lamp, table, and portrait while screaming 'fugainaiya-iya'. That said, the PV is actually kind of amusing and a lot better than the one that was used for Dramatic. I personally prefer to see weird PVs like this one instead of the ones that bore me to tears. It's clear that lots of money were poured into the PV. The costume itself probably eats a quarter of the budget and then there is the actual maze which looks awesome. Also, make sure you don't miss the part where Yuki goes batshit insane and starts beating that stuffed cat. It's a sight to behold!! XD Overall, this is a fun PV that does represent Honey and Clover series really well. The full lyric is now available for those who want it.
SPITZ - Mahou no Kotoba (15MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
This is basically the main theme for the upcoming live action version of Honey and Clover. The song is performed by Spitz and is newly written specifically for the movie itself. I personally am a bit underwhelmed by both the song and the PV itself. I think the ending song that is written by Suga Shikao and performed by Arashi, Aozora Pedal is a bit more interesting. But then again I've always gravitated more towards Suga Shikao's songs than Spitz. The only exception to this is Spica, which I thought was perfect as the song to accompany Takemoto's journey back in episode 24 of Honey and Clover. The PV itself is nothing special. You simply see a door in the middle of the street and inside the door, Spitz members can be seen living their daily life and performing/practising the song.
Tommy heavenly6's new PV features Dango, flying cow, ditzy Samurai, and phantom Ninja - although not necessarily in that order. This song is actually the opening theme for Gintama so I suppose those elements work very well to promote the series, which is quite wacky on its own. The PV is also equally hilarious in that Tommy kind of way. It begins with a flying carriage lead by flying cow landing roughly into the ground. Tommy, who assumes the role of the Samurai, falls over from the carriage because she tries to jump while the carriage is still moving. It's one of those embarassing moments that you hope won't happen to you while you try to impress someone. The Samurai then goes to a town filled with phantom Ninja and Evil Samurai and dispatches them one by one. With the power of supreme Dango, of course the Samurai wins!! Anyway, if you want the PV, Tokyo Toshokan has the big version. And if you just want a peek of it, try this:
Tommy heavenly6 - Pray (YouTube Video)
Suga Shikao - Manatasu no Yoru no Yume (19.7MB for PSP/Quicktime)
The first Suga Shikao's song that I heard was actually Yuudachi, which is the OP theme for Boogiepop Phantom. After that, I never heard about him at all until I saw Honey and Clover. Ever since then, however, I suddenly become really aware of him. Most of it has to do with the way Honey and Clover used almost every single piece of his music. But I also think he gets more and more involved in the anime industry lately. His latest works include songs for xxxHOLiC, Honey and Clover movie and the anime's second season, and now the live action version of Death Note. I have actually seen the PV a month ago on YouTube but the quality wasn't as good. I really like this song and it helps that the PV is not bad either. The imageries are not as provocative as 19 Sai but actually work rather well to suggest the sombre and morbid atmosphere of the film.
Teshima Aoi - Teru no Uta | Mirror (24.1MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
This is the song that currently sits in at number 7 on the Oricon Weekly Top 30. The song, which is titled Teru no Uta is the main theme for the upcoming Ghibli's feature film, Gedo Senki. I have to admit that I didn't really like the song when it was used within the trailer. Back then I thought the song feels a bit depressing at times. Thankfully the full version of the song is a lot better and the PV gives the impression of a grand adventure. Maybe it's just me but this is actually the first time I've heard about this singer. I also get the impression that Ghibli tends to use singers who usually are not that popular within the animation industry. In a way, it helps to distinguish their film from other animated features. Ghibli's theme song usually lends out a folklore kind of atmosphere to the movie.
ANNA inspi’ NANA (BLACK STONES) - rose | Mirror (28MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
I suspect if I had been in the actual rock concert, I'd probably enjoy this a lot more. However, this is just a PV and I have a hard time seeing what's going on in it because the camera keeps moving left and right. Between this and a little pain, I prefer a little pain mostly because I'm not really into rock music. The PV itself simply shows Tsuchiya Anna acting just like a rocker. There's no particular narrative or story that holds the sequence together although one of the band members actually look a little bit like Shin. Update:. Thanks to Mizu, I've managed to obtain the full lyric to the song. The romaji version can be found below the cut as usual. Although after hearing the song again, there was one line after Kareochiru kanashimi my soul which I'm still not sure if it's correct or not.
OLIVIA inspi' REIRA (TRAPNEST) - a little pain | Mirror (31.4MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
This is basically the ending theme for NANA anime. I find it weird that the singer is willing to use that strange stage name in order to perform this song but I guess she gets paid to maintain the illusion that she is actually Reira from Trapnest. The PV itself is one of those narrative-less type. It only shows Reira performing the song while wearing a period dress. In some scenes, she actually looks a bit scary due to the makeup in her face and the way the scene was lit. Thankfully the song itself is quite good and represents the longing that both Nana probably feel for their respective loved ones. It makes one wonder, especially in Oosaki Nana's case, if she was actually waiting for Ren while she got seperated from him.
Kawabe Chieco - Sakura Kiss (43.6MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
I actually think the song is not that special. The PV, on the other hand, is a crack and a half. Watching those rabbits jumping around couples who are having romantic moments is rather amusing. Of course it helps that I love Robbie the Rabbit from the Silent Hill series and bunnies from this music video remind me of him. You can also see Chieco Kawabe wearing froggie suit while corrupting little kids to share their first kiss. I just hope they won't be traumatised with stuffed animals for the rest of their adult life. As far as references to Ouran High School Host Club, the song contains a line about a host and an appearance from an androgynous girl who could pass up as Haruhi. Even if you don't like the song, at least wait until the part where Kawabe Chieco trying to eat burger while still wearing her froggie costume.
Tokito Ami - Sentimental Generation (42.3MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Well, this looks like something that has been created for the meganekko fans. The song is basically the opening theme for School Rumble 2nd Term sung by Tokito Ami. In the PV, Tokito Ami wakes up in a class and finds herself in the middle of a school rumble between her classmates. This is because they all want to get that elusive Yakisoba pan (bread) from the school's cafetaria. A tough guy seems to be taking name as he beats up everyone who stands in his way. Unfortunately for him, he eventually loses his energy and gets defeated by a group of geeks. Tokito Ami then uses the opportunity to get the Yakisoba pan for herself before singing and dancing in front of other students in the class. The PV is not exactly artistic and the song wouldn't be mistaken as a 'classic' by any stretch of imagination. Having said that, I think the PV is in line with the kind of story that is often shown in School Rumble.
Suga Shikao - 19-sai (19.3MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Lately I've been wondering about the appropriateness of 19-sai as an opening theme for xxxHOLiC. Sure, it provides a rather creepy tune for the opening animation but lyric-wise, it has a lot more to do with lovers than the story of xxxHOLiC. Well, the PV finally shows what the kind of imageries that Suga Shikao probably had in mind when writing the lyric. It's a rather revealing video, to say the least. It actually looks more like a soft-core porn than a normal PV. And since this was aired in Japan, it comes with the obligatory blurry spots during some of the more stimulating scenes. The story is basically about a guy who's obsesed with photographing butterfly but then his obsession turns into photographing a random female who's in the middle of pleasuring herself in her apartment. The two eventually proceeds to have sex with one another. If you're easily offended by this kind of material, then I recommend that you stay away from this PV.
Morning Musume - Sexy Boy: Soyokaze ni Yorisotte (43.1MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
This week's Oricon Top 20 list shows the re-appearance of Morning Musume in this weekly chart of popular Japanese pop. Morning Musume used to be a nation-wide sensation in Japan but recently their profile seems to be on the decline. Many blame this on the ever-changing nature of its members, which have now escalated to a very high number of 10+ girls. Others blame it on the decreasing quality of the songs and direction of the girls. It's hard not to agree with the later sentiment especially when the lyric to their latest song mostly consists of "Sexy, ue, ue". Because of this, I see no point of providing lyric since I'm sure most people interested in the PV are not in it to sing along. But if you're curious, this page contains the lyric to the song as well as the name of the girls who sing it. Anyway, the PV itself is quite fun to watch, thanks to its mixture of light sex appeal and silly dance sequence. Last but not least, here is the full list of the Oricon ranking:
| 01 | News - Sayaendou/Hadashi no Cinderella Boy | 11 | Sukima Switch - Boku Note | |
| 02 | Hikawa Kiyoshi - Ikken | 12 | Every Little Thing - Azure Moon | |
| 03 | Shonan no Kaze - Sumire Uta | 13 | Yaida Hitomi - Go my way | |
| 04 | Morning Musume - Sexy Boy: Soyokaze ni Yorisotte | 14 | Ayaka - I believe | |
| 05 | Hamasaki Ayumi - Startin'/Born to Be | 15 | Hakase Tarou - Symphonic Poem "Hope" | |
| 06 | Angela Aki - Kiss Me Good-Bye | 16 | Jyukai - Anata ga Ita Mori | |
| 07 | Remio Romen - Taiyou no Shita | 17 | Remio Romen - Konayuki | |
| 08 | Nakama Yukie with Download - Koi no Download | 18 | Kobukuro - Sakura | |
| 09 | Monkey Majik - Around the World | 19 | Shimatani Hitomi - Haru Machibito/Camellia | |
| 10 | Sunset Swish - My Pace | 20 | Utada Hikaru - Keep Tryin' |
Jukai has just released the PV of their latest single, Anata ga Ita Mori. Anyone who's been watching Fate/stay night will know that this is the ending theme for that series. I think I mentioned before how much I love this song. The melody and the lyric feel soothing. And I have to admit that the female singer, Watanabe Manami, is quite easy on the eyes, bad hair day and all. :) Unfortunately the PV is not that outstanding. It simply shows Manami singing the song inside a painting of a forest while the male guitarist, Yoshiaki Dewa, sits inside the house that features said painting. They then switch place as the song winds down to the end. Anyway, if you're interested in the PV, Tokyo Toshokan has it.
I first saw the PV for this song while I was in Japan around January. Back then, I thought one of the two singers was actually Tatsuya Fujiwara from Battle Royale. As it turns out, the person wasn't Tatsuya Fujiwara and the PV wasn't actually from any kind of Japanese drama despite how it may look on a glance. WaT itself is comprised of two members: Wentz Eiji and Teppei Koike. Unlike some other singer groups in Japan, however, theirs wasn't created by particular music company. These two have actually been doing their own small gigs for a few years before they released a single. Anyway, I think the song is quite nice and this particular live performance is quite interesting thanks to the small disaster that happened halfway through the singers' performance. Despite this, the two admirably continue their performance as if nothing had happened. And in a way, the incident shows that these two really sing the song live instead of lip-synching to the CD.
WaT - Boku no Kimochi (Live at 56th NHK Kouhaku) (15.8MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Yes, there was actually a promotional video for FFXII that featured this song released not too long ago. However, this is the actual PV featuring the singer of the song, Angela Aki. I personally like this song a lot and think that it's not a bad theme for a Final Fantasy game. The PV itself, however, is nothing special. It simply features Angela Aki performing the song alternating with several Final Fantasy XII scenes. In addition to this, this version of the song is actually in Japanese while the version used on the FFXII Promo Video was English. I have to admit it was rather weird to hear this in Japanese when I first heard it in English. If you want to see the English lyric, check the other entry.
Angela Aki - Kiss Me Good-Bye | Mirror (25.2MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Koda Kumi - Someday (26.8MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
This is the song that is currently sitting on No.3 position in the top 10 Oricon Weekly Chart just after Hyde's Season's Call and Utada Hikaru's Keep Tryin'. This is an unusual video clip because it features 3 young Japanese actors: Takashi Tsukamoto (Shinji Mimura in Battle Royale), Shugo Oshinari (Takuma Aoi in Battle Royale 2), and Shogen. This PV seems to be a continuation of Koda's previous PVs: "You", "Feel", and "Lies". According to this site, the other 3 PVs basically show the life of 3 friends and the women in their life (all played by Koda Kumi). The men are played by Takashi Tsukamoto in "You", Shugo Oshinari in "Feel", and Shogen in "Lies". When the PVs are combined together, they look like a short film. In this PV, the stories come together and form a conclusion for the 3 men and women in the story. Anyway, I think the song is quite nice to listen to so give it a try. Also, if you're interested, here are the other singles in the top 10 chart:
Top 10 Oricon Single Chart (6 March 2006)
1. Hyde - Season's Call
2. Utada Hikaru - Keep Tryin'
3. Koda Kumi - Someday
4. Monkey Majik - Around the World
5. Cocco - Onsoku Punch
6. w-inds - It's in the stars
7. Ayaka - I believe
8. Nakashima Mika - Cry No More
9. Shibasaki Kou - Kage
10. Takki & Tsubasa - Venus
February 24, 2006 | 8 Comments
My first exposure to this song happened when I was in Akihabara, Japan (see Kongetsu for related post on Japan), looking for some anime/game goods to purchase. The song was included in a music video featuring the opening scene from Shin Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams game, which was out in Japan around the 26th of January this year. The game's opening sequence looks so hot that I can't help but spending a couple of minutes in front of the visual display everytime the video appeared. So imagine my shock when I saw the real PV for the song. Hamasaki Ayumi looks beautiful but the PV itself is messy and cheestastic. It basically shows Ms Hamasaki in a skimpy outfit drilling a hole before breaking into a TV station. She then changes her outfit and starts to re-enact the motorbike scene from Kill Bill. Right now I want to wipe the memory of watching the PV in the first place so I decide to prominently feature scenes from Shin Onimusha here.
15 Seconds TVCM (Streaming Flash, Official site)
February 16, 2006 | 7 Comments
Yeah, I know this is an old song. But the song left quite an indelible impression on me that I've always wanted to feature it here. I even still remember the first time I saw the PV on TV while I was in Japan during spring time. Back then I couldn't think of a more appropriate PV to show during Spring, a time when Sakura flowers bloom and fall within weeks. The PV itself shows Nakashima Mika performing the song in a white gown while several figurines act out the story. In the story, two childhood friends become seperated and after the seperation, the guy either becomes old or feels like he's becoming an old man in loneliness. The ending is definitely open for interpretation. Either way, I think it's one of the more interesting PVs I've seen so far. The PV also contains one of Nakashima Mika's best performance as a singer. Her expression when she sings the song looks as if she understands the pain that the poor figurine goes through.
Nakashima Mika - Sakurairo Mau Koro (27.9MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
February 8, 2006 | 35 Comments
Crystal Energy - Performed by Kurubayashi Minami (16.4MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
I was going to review Hanbun no Tsuki episode 2 but I am feeling a bit drowsy now thanks to the cough medicine I just took so I'll leave that for a bit later. For now, I'll just talk about this OP. Before I continue, however, please be aware that this entry contains spoilers for episode 17 and forward. Anyway, I'm glad the second OP is a lot better in comparison to the first OP. A lot of it has to do with the song, which in some ways remind me of Saber Marionette J theme song. And then there is the visual, which is fantastic and full of spoilers. First of all, there are the fractured trio, deliciously evil Tomoe standing in front of a bunch of droids, and Sergey overlayed on top of a bleeding Rena. Then comes the spoiler: Mashiro with the Aswald group, suggesting that Windbloom will make an alliance with Aswald. It's also amusing to see Rad holding Mikoto, which I'm sure is some sort of a nod to Reito and Mikoto's relationship in Mai Hime.
I heard this song when I first arrived in Japan this year and apparently it was debuted around the 25th of January. As of this writing, I think it still sits neatly in the 4th position of Oricon Top 20 ranking, preceeded by Gackt's Redemption, which sits at number 3. The PV is actually nothing extraordinary. It's just Ms Koda walking towards what looks like a Fight Club scene in the middle of the night before participating in said rumble. She then proceeds to TKO her opponent with her wire-fu ability. It's pretty entertaining to see although I have no idea how it relates to the song, which is about self-confidence and finding one's future in the world. The song itself has a rather nice rhythm and thanks to repetition, I ended up liking it.
February 2, 2006 | 18 Comments
Well, here's another promo video which keeps blaring throughout various stores in Akihabara while I was in Japan. This promo comes from a DVD containing Gackt's new single, Redemption, which happens to be the main theme song for Dirge of Cerberus: FFVII. There are only two contents inside this more or less priced around 1,900 Yen DVD: Gackt's version of the PV and the Dirge of Cerberus version of the PV. The first one simply shows Gackt wandering around in warrior costume. Not exactly interesting unless you're a Gackt fan, which I am not. It doesn't help that the song is not exactly that memorable. The second one, however, contains a very cool mixture of CG and in-game scenes from Dirge of Cerberus. In this version, you can see the entire FFVII crew back for another adventure.
January 28, 2006 | 14 Comments
How's everyone? I didn't have that good of a trip in England but now I'm back in Japan and things seem to be on the upside. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do a full review right now since I have to go again soon. I did manage to update Kongetsu with short article about Hachikuro Cafe. So check that one out if you're interested. I also want to mention this one since the single is kind of popular right now in Tokyo. This is basically the theme song to Final Fantasy XII game called Kiss Me Good-Bye. The singer is Angela Aki and she just released a single which contain the song along with a DVD containing 'Premium video'. The video basically features the song overlayed on top of old and new FFXII scenes.
December 30, 2005 | 54 Comments
Well, everyone else has done it so I may as well jump into the bandwagon. I think 2005 has been a surprisingly good year despite my rather low expectation of it at the beginning. In fact, some of the series that I list here actually end up as my all-time favourites. I don't think I'll be talking much about the state of the industry since I didn't actually follow many series this year. Having said that, I recommend that you read through Bluwacky's thorough analysis of this year's releases. I think he made a lot of interesting point about the industry. What I'm going to do here is simply list my top 3 of this year's series/games/songs and then talk about them. I am also interested to know what other people's favourite series/games/movies this year so feel free to indicate your choices in the comment area. Before I do this, however, please be aware that some of the paragraphs contain light spoilers.
November 15, 2005 | 35 Comments
Tommy february6 - Lonely in Gorgeous (MP4, 31MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Paradise Kiss - Lonely in Gorgeous (MP4, 14.7MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Well, here is the lyric for this song. If you didn't manage to obtain the PV, I have a PSP version of it here. Even after several repeats, I still think that the PV looks weird. In general I can't decide if Tommy was drunk or intentionally acting like she was drunk. It doesn't help that 'story' depicted within the PV itself doesn't have anything to do with the lyric. The lyric actually tells a story of a girl who is in love with a boy but ends up having her heart broken by the boy during a party at night. So it definitely doesn't have anything to do with undercover cops or drunk singer. If anything, the lyric sounds as if it was written especially to illustrate the relationship trainwreck depicted in Paradise Kiss.
November 10, 2005 | 14 Comments
Arashi - Wish (MP4, 21.8MB, for PSP/Quicktime) - Reuploaded (21/11/05)
This is actually the OP theme of Hana Yori Dango live action. If you're interested to know more about the series, I'll suggest that you check out Ten's coverage of the series. This PV is basically sung by Arashi, a band whose members include Matsumoto Jun, who plays Doumyouji in the live action version of Hana Yori Dango, and Sakurai Shou, the actor who will be playing as Takemoto in the live action adaptation of Honey and Clover. The PV itself is about a painter who arrives in a town and falls in love with a girl. So he sets to win her heart even though he meets some challenges along the way. This is all done in Muppet-style animation and in general, the mood of the song feels a lot like a christmas song.
Kobukuro - Koko ni Shika Sakanai Hana (MP4, 23.1MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
I thought I'd let some people know that I've just updated Kongetsu again. Lately I've been reminded of the time I spent with my friends in Japan again and I think it's partly because of this song. When I was in Japan, I often heard this song playing at the 100-Yen shop that my friends and I often visited. However, I didn't actually know the song's title until I arrived back home. I was quite surprised when I found out that the song is actually an ending theme to a Japanese drama called Ruri no Shima. The drama was playing around June which is the reason why the song was popular around that time as well. I have recently had the chance to see the drama itself and I have to say that it is actually quite good. I'll probably do a coverage about it one day when my schedule is a bit lighter. For now, enjoy the PV while you can because it's quite hard to find even on the Japanese P2P program.
Well, I finally managed to obtain the CD single for this song. Damn, if the song doesn't bring a lot of memories. I can't believe that it's been more than a month since I last hear this song playing as the ending theme of Honey and Clover. Thanks to a friend, I also finally managed to get a hold of the PV. This sure is one of the weirder PVs I've seen in a while. It doesn't help that the girl in the PV looks as if she'd rather be elsewhere than in the PV. Oh well, at least it includes the not-so-subtle Ferris Wheel imagery that has become so synonymous with the series.
Honey and Clover 1st ED Theme
Performed by Suneohair
Kanji/Kana version
あかない瞼こすって見える
パステル模様の未来に
散りばめられた記号を辿る
たぐり寄せた表情
ねえ、何だっけ 探していた物
あれは、そうね いつだっけ
僕等が引力に逆らいながら 出会った頃
それはワルツの様だね 不思議さ
ささやく様な木漏れ日の交差点で
二人ワルツの様にね 廻りながら
描き出してゆくもの
温めすぎた想いを全部
吐き出して見えるランドスケープ
半年以上くすぶらせてる
イメージに灯を燈して
何だっけ失くしてしまった物
それでもいいんだって
僕等の引力で引き合い 求め合うのだろう
それはワルツの様だね 素敵さ
呟くようなさえずり聞きながら
まるでワルツの様にね 二人が
描き出してゆくもの
あぁ、とぼけた現実も
原色で塗り替えてしまえ
引き寄せてあげるから ねえ
そこから踊り続けよう
二人だけのワルツ
それはワルツの様だね 不思議さ
ささやく様な木漏れ日の 交差点で
二人ワルツの様にね 廻りながら
描き出してゆくもの
TiA - Promise (MP4,30.3MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
I was actually rather apprehensive when I first heard the 2nd opening theme for Yakitate!! Japan. After all, Houkigumo was already ingrained in my mind as the opening theme for the series during the first 29 episodes. Now all of a sudden there is this new song that I have to get used to. But much to my surprise, it didn't take long for me to warm up to the song. Anyway, this is one of those rare PVs that fits the song. The PV's bright color scheme conveys the mood of the song really well. TiA is also absolutely captivating here. I am not normally this enthusiastic about watching a singer's performance on a PV because most of the time they look like a wooden prop on a set. But TiA looks like she's really enjoying the song and as a result, she gives the song the convinction it needs.
Yakitate!! Japan 2nd OP Theme
Performed by TiA
Kanji/Kana version
輝く君の瞳に誓った
小さな窓から 青空が見えた午後
逃げることなんて もうしたくはないよ
背中にあたたかい 手のひらを感じている
傷つくよりもつらいのは
明日をあきらめて
自分に嘘つき続けること
大事な夢をひとつ ココロにいつでも
信じて守って 乗り越えて行こう
大事な夢があるから もっと強くなれる
思い描いた未来を抱きしめて
これからも
少しだけ前を歩く肩ごし
おんなじ歩幅で 白い雲追いかけた
選んだ道が正しいかなんて
誰にも分らない 迷うときもあるけれど
つまづくことを怖がって
待っているだけじゃ
昨日と何も変わらないから
大事な夢をひとつ ふたりでいつでも
信じて守って 歩き続けよう
大事な夢があるから 前だけを見つめて
もっと遥かな未来を目指してく
これからも
傷つけて傷つけられて
くやしくて泣いた日も
次のドア開く勇気を
君がくれたよ
大事な夢をひとつ ココロにいつでも
信じて守って 乗り越えて行こう
大事な夢があるから もっと強くなれる
思い描いた未来を抱きしめて
これからも
Eureka 7 OP Theme
Performed by Flow
Note: I actually haven't watch Eureka 7 apart from the first episode. I am not sure I'm completely sold on its premise just yet. Having said that, I really like the opening theme for this show. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that I keep hearing the song everytime I go to the MiniStop here in Japan. I'm also quite surprised to see that the band responsible for this song is actually Flow, the same group that created Go!!!, one of the best Naruto opening themes. Right now, I'm really tempted to try other songs from this group and complete my conversion as Flow fanboy. If you like the song, the single will be out here in Japan on the first of June. Anyway, as usual, please let me know if you see any mistake and please note that this is the full version of the song not the TV size, so it is slightly different.
Kanji/Kana version
変わり行く既設が 街波染めてゆく
曖昧な時間が流れて
涙色の空を 僕は見つめていた
悲しみの 波が押し寄せる
夢は遠くまで はっきりと見えていたのに
大切なものを 見失った
あの日交わした約束は砕けて散った
激しく儚い 記憶のカケラ
例え二人並んで見た夢から覚めても
この想い 忘れはしない ずっと
色褪せた景色を 風が流れてゆく
思い出は そっと蘇る
通い慣れた道 歩み進んでも戻れない
最初の嘘 最後の言葉
強がってばっか 誤魔化す 感情に
過ぎ去った季節からの解答
So 今から何も出来やしないって
分かってたって もうダメみたい
所詮繰り返すだけの自問自答 重ね続けてる現状
仲居夜 一人静けさを照らす街灯
思い出が走馬灯の用にグルグル脳裏を走り出す
淡い記憶に何度もしがみつこうとするが消しえてしまう
悲しみのMerry-Go-Round 真夜中のMelody Slow Dance
あの日交わした約束は砕けて散った
激しく儚い 記憶のカケラ
たとえ二人並んで見た夢から覚めても
この想い 忘れはしない ずっと
津億の 日々か照らす 今を
February 21, 2005 | 3 Comments
Gakuen Alice ED Theme
Performed by Kana Ueda and Rie Kugimiya
Kanji/Kana version
君が大っきな大っきな声で笑ったら
すぐに真似っ子 一緒に笑ったね
手を繋いで歩いた道
今日は2人で かけっこしょう
君といるとどんな世界も明るく輝くよ
そんな君の隣にいる
こんなちっちゃな幸せを
ひとつひとつ抱きしめながら 笑顔に変えるよ
自転車でくぐり抜けたあの虹のように
ハッピーな色でいよう いつまでも
うつむいて歩いた道
今日は2人でかけっこうしょう
上を向きましょ どんな世界も明るく輝くよ
そんな君の隣にいる
こんなちっちゃな幸せを
ひとつひとつ抱きしめながら 笑顔に変えるよ
自転車でくぐり抜けたあの虹のように
ハッピーな色いでいよう いつまでも
喧嘩した 心の距離は
物差しじゃ計れない
こらえきれず こばれた涙
2人で拭いあえば
自転車でくぐり抜けたあの虹のように
ハッピーな色でいよう いつまでも
君と大っきな大っきな声で笑ってく
ハッピーな色でいよう いつまでも
