The challenge is on for 765 Productions (led by Ryuuguu Komachi) as they complete an idol-sporting event against other agencies. Unfortunately, there is one group of girls who aims to dampen their spirit to win.
…
music
The iDOLM@STER – Episode 8 – Adventures of Azusa Miura… in a Wedding Dress!
Sorry about that long delay… Since the subs got delayed for the past two weeks due to some extraordinary circumstances, I had to put this show off and watch some of my backlog. Gratefully, episodes 8 and 9 were finally released today, so I’m confident that I will get caught up by Monday.
As for this episode, Azusa getting lost and a group of bodyguards chasing after her was a fun experience. All of this happened with her wearing a nice-looking wedding dress.
…
Tantei Opera Milky Holmes – Summer Special – Kokoro Becomes an iDOLM@STER!
Well, sort of… It’s not like she had a choice or anything.
It felt like a long time since Tantei Opera Milky Holmes ended back in December of last year. This show was particularly fun not because the girls were adorable, but for the outright hilarious comedy that didn’t involve the overused tsundere archetypes. With a second season coming next winter, I can only wonder about the shenanigans Milky Holmes and the Genius 4 will be up to.
For now, we have the summer special [1. The special took place between episodes 7 and 8.], which centers on Kokoro’s journey of becoming an idol shortly after the G4’s demotion for failing to capture Aresenè among other things.
…
The iDOLM@STER – Episode 7 – Yayoi’s Cheerful Family and Iori’s Life Lesson
Compared to the other girls, Yayoi is not so fortunate since she isn’t well off and her parents have to work most of the time in order to support all six children. Out of curiosity, Iori and Hibiki tags along to experience how Yayoi shop for food and meet her siblings.
…
The iDOLM@STER – Episode 6 – Producer-san’s Panic Attack
765 Production’s future now looks brighter as Ritsuko’s new idol unit Ryuuguu Komachi got approved with Azusa, Ami and Iori being a part of it. While they work on their gig for their debut on television, the Producer becomes increasingly anxious that it leads us to many unforeseen mistakes.
…
Best of Spring 2011 Anime Music
During the Fall 2010 Anime Season, I have taken a brief look of some the opening and ending songs I heard from the shows I were watching. Since I only covered a few shows last winter like Madoka Magica, Hourou Musuko and Fractale (Gosick is left out since the ending theme single came out in the spring), I decided not to focus on it. However, I have published a full review on Madoka Magica’s opening song, “Connect” at Anime Instrumentality and you should check it out!
For the Spring 2011 Season, there was a good number of opening and ending songs I liked. Out of the songs that released and listened to during spring, I liked “secret base ~kimi ga kureta mono~” (Ai Kayano, Haruka Tomatsu, Saori Hayami), “Scarlet Knight” (Nana Mizuki), “Hazy” (sphere), “Scarlet Ballet” (May’n), and “Spread Wings” (Aki Misato). For each song, I will share my thoughts about them briefly. (Image Source)
…
The iDOLM@STER – Episode 5 – A Short Summer Vacation on the Beach
Two weeks later, I have finally returned from my rather long vacation after traveling over 3000 miles in the car! While the activity on my blog took a slight nosedive, I have enjoyed my time and now feel refreshed.
Coincidently, I watched the beach episode today with the girls and Producer going on a one-day vacation to relax from the blistering heat amongst the lack of air conditioning. As you expected, it’s time for fanservice!
…
The iDOLM@STER – Episode 4 – Durians, Wacky Cooking and Chihaya’s Displeasure
In effort to make the girls of 765 Productions more noticeable, they appear on a wacky Iron Chief-like show with a crazy frog host. While it seemed fun for Haruka, Hibiki, and Takane, Chihaya wasn’t pleased with the lack of singing at the event.
…
The iDOLM@STER – First Impressions (Episodes 1-3)
We are getting close to the middle of summer and I find myself wanting to watch another show. So I decided to take another look at THE iDOLM@STER, a show that has nothing to do with robots, but a more faithful adaptation of a popular idol raising simulation game. (Image Source)
…
Anime and Japanese Music… and Favorite Artists – 1 Year Later
For a long time, I have an interest in music ever since I played Piano and Clarinet when I was in high school. When I started to watch Anime again back in 2008, I have already established an interest towards Japanese music with Pokémon that simply grew beyond what I have listened to.
Several months after I posted my favorite artists last year, I guest reviewed several Anime related singles on Anime Instrumentality Blog. In addition, I have listened to other singers’ songs, which kind of redefined my perceptions of Anime Music a bit more. So, further ado, I want to share my updated favorite artists and music I have listened up to now (Image Source).
…
Puella Magi Madoka Magica OP – Connect Review
I know most of the people wanted a formal review of the opening single “Connect” by ClariS… So, I worked hard during the last two weeks to get the review perfect. Hopefully you will enjoy my review of the single.
(Also, post your comments at Anime Instrumentality Blog.)
(Image Source)
Rio: Rainbow Gate! ED Review – Miracle Chance
I have told everyone that Rio: Rainbow Gate is a really bad show not because of the fanservice, but the complete randomness. If the overall premise of the show is horrible, how about the music? Besides the opening theme, I took a look at the ending theme sung by ULTRA-PRISM, whom also created the Ika Musume OP. Sadly, “Miracle Chance” did not live up to my expectations since it felt so dull that it would put me to sleep. After reviewing it, I have absolutely no motivation to listen to the opening with the assumption that it would be absolutely mediocre too.
Next time, I’m going reviewing a good single instead of reviewing bad ones… Perhaps Kalafina’s Magica or something that would be enjoyable to review.
(Also, post your comments at Anime Instrumentality Blog.)
Twelve Moments in Anime 2010 – #10 – K-ON! (OVA) Live House
Besides the second season of K-ON, which I will be covering in a future Anime Moments post, there was an OVA that released in the first season. Basically, the Light Music Club decides to do a live house performance, which they are very excited about. They met many girl bands they haven’t heard before and had lots of pleasurable time with them. (Image Source)
…
Guest Review – Otome Youkai Zakuro – MOON SIGNAL OP Review
As you might know already… I loved “MOON SIGNAL,” which is one of the best openings in the Fall 2010 Anime Season. This review only took a few hours to write since there wasn’t that much to nick picking compared to the previous singles such as MM! OP review and K-ON! 2 Yui Character Single. While “MOON SIGNAL” remains the best song out of sphere, “Now Loading… SKY!!” remains my second favorite. Also, the B-side in “Now Loading… SKY!!” is a bit better than “Climax Whistle.” So enjoy the review of “MOON SIGNAL” and be sure to share your thoughts about the single at the Anime Instrumentality Blog.
(Comments are disabled in this post… Make your comments in the actual review. Image Source)
Fall 2010 Anime Music Rundown – Part II
Fall 2010 still has a myriad of good and enjoyable Fall 2010 songs so far. Unfortunately, there only a few I really wanted to review in depth. Nevertheless, I still want to share my thoughts about them. [1. Image Source]
…
Fall 2010 Anime Music Rundown – Part I
As the Fall 2010 heads to its midpoint, its time to take a look of some Anime Music I decided to try out. Besides the MM! opening single I reviewed at Anime Instrumentality Blog, the other singles I tried out was pretty good. This is why I would like to share my brief thoughts about them. [1. Original Image]
…
Guest Review: MM! OP Single Help – Review
When you have an Anime that has masochism written all over it, you can expect that the songs would be a masochistic experience…
From listening to the songs, Taketatsu Ayana is a really bad singer. This makes Hirano Aya’s and Toyosaki Aki’s singing sound 2x better! It’s like mixing two of the horrible pop singers (Lady Gaga and Katy Perry) and have a song that is a pile of crap.
Then again, it was not horrible enough to make the song unlistenable. It had some redeeming factors if you take out the vocals. I think this single could be considered as “So Bad Its Good.” Yes, the singing from Ayana is horrible and the electronica is out of place in the second track, but it was slightly enjoyable as receiving pleasure from masochism. I just can’t take my eyes off of it unlike Sae’s Ending from Amagami SS, which had nothing redeemable whatsoever.
So, enjoy this masochistic review of this single… and it’s just in time for Halloween! I will probably make another review on “Moon Signal” in a few weeks.
MM OP Review at Anime Instrumentality Blog (Make your comments over there, not here.)
Original Image Source
K-ON!! – Extra Episodes Part 1 and 2 Final Thoughts
After the final performance from the four girls that left Azu-nyan in tears, we are now left with the Extra Episodes.
The extras are what you expect if you watched the last season; they are fun and enjoyable stories to look at. The first extra involves the Light Music Club producing another promotional video since the last one is shoddily done. The second involves a visit to Sawako’s apartment to get her approval on the final copy of the yearbook. In addition to visiting her, they made dinner and done the laundry while she recovers from the cold.
…
Guest Review: K-ON2! Character Image Songs – Hirasawa Yui
Since the girls in K-ON!! finally graduated from their high school, I decided it would be fun to review the most popular girls’ character sing, Hirasawa Yui sung by Toyosaki Aki.
This review was a bit different experience compared to my previous reviews. Reviewing music singles are not easy as it looks since you have to convey what you heard into words. Even though I have a musical background, it took me some time to get it right. So, if you are interested, you can read the review by following the link below.
Read it at Anime Instrumentality > (Discussion about this single is done in this post only)
For those who are wondering, I will be contributing more reviews in the future (as in the coming months). These may include:
- Misoji Misaki – For more bile fascination
- Additional K-ON singles
I will not review any more Girls Dead Monster singles/albums since they really suck and I don’t want my ears bleed more.
Note: Fanart used in this post is made by ぽにし。
K-ON!! Second Season – Episode 24 (END, Main Story) – Final Thoughts
I have to admit, it was a pretty emotional episode as the four girls are finally graduate and leaves their school behind for college. In addition, it was quite funny for Yui to hide the gift from Sawako to give for appreciation. This pretty much makes her worry about Yui a lot during the graduation ceremony. In the end, it seems that she loves the gift she receives from her students a lot.
As for Azusa, she has not gotten over the graduation anxiety and she broke down towards the end. Yui gives her some mementos (the four girls freshman picture and a five petal flower) to her. Afterwards, the four girls played a “thank you” song to Azusa with the four girls singing. It was one of the best songs in addition to U&I. It was emotional and a happy song that pretty much marks the happy continuation of the friendship even though Azusa still has a year left in high school. After they played the song, they do an encore and it sends happily ever after.
I have to admit; K-ON is probably the most emotionally happy comedy slice of life ever. Forget the haters, I enjoyed and liked it since it brought nostalgia when I was having fun with my friends in high school. It even surpasses Lucky Star over its random comedy. K-ON in my opinion shows the good and simplest things in life, friendship and living life to the fullest. It’s also fully evident in another familiar slice of life show. I’ll keep that a secret. :p
Next Episode: Time for Azusa to get some new recruits… Final Review will be written after I watched the second Extra Episode.
Verdict
10/10
Overall Rating
9.45/10, A, Masterpiece.
Amagami SS – Double Ending Singles Review – Kimi no Hitomi ni Koishiteru & Kitto Ashita ha…
General Information – Kimi no Hitomi ni Koishiteru
General Information – Kitto Ashita ha…
Two singles, two times the trouble. The question is, will well they fare against the last Amagami SS single I reviewed? Let’s find out!
…
Amagami SS – Anata Shika Mie nai (Sae’s Ending Theme, ED3) Review
General Information
Album: Anata Shika Mie nai (Literal Translation: You’re the Only One I Can See)
Artist: Konno Hiromi,Oomori Toshiyuki
Release Date: September 15, 2010
Catalog Number: PCCG-70093
Track List
Disc 1
- Anata Shika Mie nai
- KEEPING SMILE
- Anata Shika Mia nai (Instrumental)
- KEEPING SMILE (Instrumental)
Disc 2
- A little bird on my hand
- Walking along, shining along
- Character Monologue
…
Opinion: Angel Beats and K-ON!!, the Day and Night Differences of the Bands
It has been nearly two months since Angel Beats have ended and after listening to the whole Angel Beats OST, I was impressed by how surprisingly well ANANT-GARDE EYES and Jun Maeda songs sounded. I mentioned this since there was a discussion about the composition of the soundtrack a while back on Twitter between me, zzeroparticle and Aorii that happened last week over how long it took to compose the music for Angel Beats, which was rumored to be 3 days. Because of the discussion, I brought up the fictional school band, Girls Dead Monster since it could explain why the songs sounded so lackluster because of the composition and the vocals. The responses I got is that the songs would sound better in the Anime opposed to just listening it as a lone track and that Jun Maeda isn’t exactly cut out to make pop songs that involves guitars.
After watching the last performance of HO-KAGO TEA TIME at the School Festival in Episode 20, it have gave me some thoughts about Angel Beats’s Girls Dead Monster and if they really can compare to K-ON’s HO-KAGO TEA TIME in regards to vocals, composition and its message, which will be discussed in this opinion piece.
…
K-ON!! Second Season – Episode 20 Brief Thoughts
Surprisingly, time goes by very quickly when you are having fun with friends. After all, four of the girls are seniors and they had to perform their greatest to make the memory last forever. From the three festival performances, this is probably the best out of three and was pretty heartwarming. Some observations:
- Sawako worked overnight to get the HTT t-shirts out to everyone. That is pretty nice.
- The audience seems to be excited.
- The first song was very light-hearted, but the last one seems to be heartwarming.
- And of course, we got some stage comedy that took a chunk out of the time including Mio and Ritsu reciting lines from the play.
The sad realization is that it’s their last year they would be performing in front of the crowd. We know that good things have to come to the end, but never let go of the fond memories they had with each other. As we let the festival go away in the sunset, we should realize that K-ON is not all about girls doing cute things or eating cake and drinking tea. Its all about friendships, which is one of the simple things in life. Most people might have even gone through this feeling after graduating from High School or College and leaving old friends behind. In the end, as the girls did in this episode, we should remember the times we had fun with our old friends and never let them fade away…
Next Episode: Time for the Yearbook pictures!
Rating
9.5/10