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For the last couple of months, I've been basically avoiding anime and manga. It wasn't exactly a conscious act but I definitely wasn't watching or reading much of anything. I wasn't even reading fanfics from anime fandoms... It just kinda happened. I got more into American TV shows like House, Scrubs, SG-1 and SGA.... And I just was centered around that for a long time.
But this spring break, in lieu of actually studying (which I really need to do this weekend now... :\), I jumped right back in and now actually have animes that I'm following. It's nice although I can't say there's any one show that makes me squee and jump up and down because a new episode has been subbed... Aside from Major but seeing as that isn't a new series, I've left it out of the list.
Anyway, with my introduction into anime, I've also been exposed to new Japanese anime theme songs! There's nothing that makes an anime even better like a really good theme song and I've uploaded a few of my favorites. Not all are theme songs but they're still songs that I'm currently into.
First from Code Geass, the first opening theme song by FLOW called Colors. I had actually downloaded this song way before I actually watched Code Geass. I had remembered them from when they sung GO!! from Naruto and listening to the song, I had always thought that it sounded like an anime theme song. Imagine my surprise and delight when I found out it was an anime theme song! I shared a bunch of these songs with Kogepan last night and she said it sounded like you were flying in the sky, which is something I think I kinda agree with.
Next song is the second ending theme of Code Geass, Mosaic Kakera by SunSet Swish. As soon as I heard it, I knew I loved it. I heard the line "konna hazu janai sou omotte na noni" and I was sold on it. I had adored their "My Pace" song from Bleach and it was nice to have another song of theirs that I absolutely enjoy. ^^ I also had downloaded the PV to this and the lead singer was not exactly what I had imagined but that doesn't detract from the fact that he had a beautiful voice.
The next song is Hoshimura Mai's Sakura Biyori which I'm sure most of you have and know of already as it's Bleach's tenth ending theme song. This song was incredibly striking and as soon as I heard it, I knew I had to have it. Of course that was weeks before it was actually released so I had to stew on the fact that I didn't have the full song for all that time.
And I feel so vindicated! I was reading Dattebayo's translation of it and I knew that the first line couldn't be "chuugaku de kimi to ai" because it just didn't sound like she was singing "chuugaku." I had a hard time really placing the word since I'm not exactly the best at Japanese but even I could hear that she wasn't singing "chuugaku."
Anyway, the nice people at Nipponsei actually scanned the booklet and as I had thought, it wasn't "chuugaku" but "chuuroku" which still makes sense. Hoshimura Mai does slur the word a bit (I keep hearing "chuunoku" myself...) so I guess it's understandable that they mixed it up. And the translation "We met in middle school and shared a hundred year love" does make sense. I guess what it's supposed to be is "I met you when I was 16 and we shared a hundred year love"? I'm not really sure of that since the first part is in present tense? "I'm 16 when I meet you"? Japanese makes me confused... :\
Anyway, on to the next song! Tokyo Majin Kenpuchou's ending theme Hanafubuki but ACID. I didn't like the opening theme of this show very much and even though this is one of the animes that I've decided to continue following, I can't say I totally know all that much about it... It's weird -- I know I did like it but it really didn't make too much of an impression despite that... But the ending theme did. I can't help but think that the style of song is very much like Road of Major. In fact, since I had uploaded this song along with two albums of Road of Major's at the same time on my iPod, I had actually thought that this was one of Road of Major's song when I first heard it. It's just that chorus part -- tell me that doesn't sound a bit like Road of Major's style.
The next song is D.Gray Man's first opening theme by the abingdon boys school called INNOCENT SORROW. When I first heard the song, I thought it was just so incredibly familiar but I couldn't place it at all.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
steveyshock actually was the one who informed me that the lead singer of abingdon boys school is actually the lead singer of T.M.Revolution. So that's why it was so damn familiar.
Next song is also from D.Gray-man but is actually the second ending theme by JUNE called Pride of Tomorrow. When I first heard, I couldn't shake the fact that it felt like a Korean pop song. Maybe it's all the Tohoshinki songs that I've been listening to lately but it just felt Korean. I realize that what I'm saying is quite stupid... After all, I have no reasoning to base why it sounds Korean to me, only that it does but it's been bothering me so much... I couldn't find much information on him (Wikipedia failed me! T_T) but on his official website, it does say his birthplace is Seoul so maybe there is something to this whole Korean thing? *shrugs* I don't know -- I'm born in the U.S but I'm Chinese (really, Chinese American but I generally think of myself as only American despite having Chinese parents...) so who knows?
The last three songs aren't from any animes at all... First is Ken Hirai's newest single Kimi no Suki na Toko. Even though Ken Hirai's sound is...different and the type of music he generally sings aren't the types of music that I'm into normally (slow, sappy ballads and soulful R&B stuff), there's just something about him that draw me. Plus, he does have that Pop Star song that I think is the most hilarious thing ever (yes, still). But this latest song -- it is totally Ken Hirai. It just oozes Ken Hirai from every pore that you really can't mistake that it's a Hen Hirai song. Well, to be truthful, it's pretty hard to mistake a Ken Hirai song since he does have that very distinctive voice... But this song is very true to Ken Hirai's style -- it's one of his sweet ballads with very strong vocals. The thing about this song is that it makes me wonder a bit about him is whether or not he's becoming a bit stagnant... This song is pure Ken Hirai but it reminds me of a lot of his other songs that in some parts, I feel like I've heard it before and that he might have taken it from some of his other songs. It does have it's good points that I adore which is why I uploaded it... Like those nice little refrain right before the chorus parts -- wonderful work there. But the rest of the song... :\ Still, it is a nice, sweet song on it's own with some nice definition at several points of the song so I can't fault it too much.
Next song is Ryuusei by FLOW which I became familiar with when I downloaded FLOW's single collection after hearing COLORS and remembering that I actually do like FLOW's sound. It doesn't start off too well -- it's a bit cacaphonous for me, but it settles down rather well. And there is the best part of the song that starts right before the chorus (found at 1:12 and 2:13) which is simply stunning. The way the voice verberates, the way it flows with the music, how the how song seems to slow down to meet it -- beautiful. Even Kogepan agrees with me, although she's a lot harsher on the song saying that those parts are the only good parts of the song. Me, I think that those parts work with the other parts and smooths out the song and makes it a very bearable song to listen to and because of that, it vaults itself up to on of my favorite FLOW songs.
The last song is from YUI's latest single, CHE.R.RY. At first, I hadn't meant to download it at all. I first saw it on Jpopsuki and then over at the tracker for #anzmp3 and Nipponsei and it seemed to be taunting me to download it. I really only knew of YUI from Bleach since she sung an ending and the current opening and generally, I don't do female vocalists, but then I did end up download it. I really didn't listen to it but I did put it on my iPod, like I do with all my songs. And since lately, I seem to be playing my Recently Added Playlist most often (I've been adding way too many good songs lately and I wanted to listen to them most of all), this song was brought to my attention while I was riding the bus.
My first thoughts were that it's not a bad song at all. YUI does have a really sweet voice which does work in her favor and the song wasn't totally sweet and soft and slow (the three S's that is sure to put me off a song unless it's really good) and when I heard the word "cherry," I knew it had to be this song from her. Overall, a good song to be listening to. There's not much to hate about it (aside from times when YUI's voice becomes a bit too high) and it works well. There's enough variation in this song to keep you from feeling that's it's boring and vocals do work well with the instrumentals. Even Kogepan liked it and she's pretty hard to satisfy.
So there you have it, my current favorite songs. Download what you want, don't, whatever but I'm just throwing them out there. And Kogepan, any songs that you haven't finished downloading? Download now! ^^
But this spring break, in lieu of actually studying (which I really need to do this weekend now... :\), I jumped right back in and now actually have animes that I'm following. It's nice although I can't say there's any one show that makes me squee and jump up and down because a new episode has been subbed... Aside from Major but seeing as that isn't a new series, I've left it out of the list.
Anyway, with my introduction into anime, I've also been exposed to new Japanese anime theme songs! There's nothing that makes an anime even better like a really good theme song and I've uploaded a few of my favorites. Not all are theme songs but they're still songs that I'm currently into.
First from Code Geass, the first opening theme song by FLOW called Colors. I had actually downloaded this song way before I actually watched Code Geass. I had remembered them from when they sung GO!! from Naruto and listening to the song, I had always thought that it sounded like an anime theme song. Imagine my surprise and delight when I found out it was an anime theme song! I shared a bunch of these songs with Kogepan last night and she said it sounded like you were flying in the sky, which is something I think I kinda agree with.
Next song is the second ending theme of Code Geass, Mosaic Kakera by SunSet Swish. As soon as I heard it, I knew I loved it. I heard the line "konna hazu janai sou omotte na noni" and I was sold on it. I had adored their "My Pace" song from Bleach and it was nice to have another song of theirs that I absolutely enjoy. ^^ I also had downloaded the PV to this and the lead singer was not exactly what I had imagined but that doesn't detract from the fact that he had a beautiful voice.
The next song is Hoshimura Mai's Sakura Biyori which I'm sure most of you have and know of already as it's Bleach's tenth ending theme song. This song was incredibly striking and as soon as I heard it, I knew I had to have it. Of course that was weeks before it was actually released so I had to stew on the fact that I didn't have the full song for all that time.
And I feel so vindicated! I was reading Dattebayo's translation of it and I knew that the first line couldn't be "chuugaku de kimi to ai" because it just didn't sound like she was singing "chuugaku." I had a hard time really placing the word since I'm not exactly the best at Japanese but even I could hear that she wasn't singing "chuugaku."
Anyway, the nice people at Nipponsei actually scanned the booklet and as I had thought, it wasn't "chuugaku" but "chuuroku" which still makes sense. Hoshimura Mai does slur the word a bit (I keep hearing "chuunoku" myself...) so I guess it's understandable that they mixed it up. And the translation "We met in middle school and shared a hundred year love" does make sense. I guess what it's supposed to be is "I met you when I was 16 and we shared a hundred year love"? I'm not really sure of that since the first part is in present tense? "I'm 16 when I meet you"? Japanese makes me confused... :\
Anyway, on to the next song! Tokyo Majin Kenpuchou's ending theme Hanafubuki but ACID. I didn't like the opening theme of this show very much and even though this is one of the animes that I've decided to continue following, I can't say I totally know all that much about it... It's weird -- I know I did like it but it really didn't make too much of an impression despite that... But the ending theme did. I can't help but think that the style of song is very much like Road of Major. In fact, since I had uploaded this song along with two albums of Road of Major's at the same time on my iPod, I had actually thought that this was one of Road of Major's song when I first heard it. It's just that chorus part -- tell me that doesn't sound a bit like Road of Major's style.
The next song is D.Gray Man's first opening theme by the abingdon boys school called INNOCENT SORROW. When I first heard the song, I thought it was just so incredibly familiar but I couldn't place it at all.
steveyshock actually was the one who informed me that the lead singer of abingdon boys school is actually the lead singer of T.M.Revolution. So that's why it was so damn familiar. Next song is also from D.Gray-man but is actually the second ending theme by JUNE called Pride of Tomorrow. When I first heard, I couldn't shake the fact that it felt like a Korean pop song. Maybe it's all the Tohoshinki songs that I've been listening to lately but it just felt Korean. I realize that what I'm saying is quite stupid... After all, I have no reasoning to base why it sounds Korean to me, only that it does but it's been bothering me so much... I couldn't find much information on him (Wikipedia failed me! T_T) but on his official website, it does say his birthplace is Seoul so maybe there is something to this whole Korean thing? *shrugs* I don't know -- I'm born in the U.S but I'm Chinese (really, Chinese American but I generally think of myself as only American despite having Chinese parents...) so who knows?
The last three songs aren't from any animes at all... First is Ken Hirai's newest single Kimi no Suki na Toko. Even though Ken Hirai's sound is...different and the type of music he generally sings aren't the types of music that I'm into normally (slow, sappy ballads and soulful R&B stuff), there's just something about him that draw me. Plus, he does have that Pop Star song that I think is the most hilarious thing ever (yes, still). But this latest song -- it is totally Ken Hirai. It just oozes Ken Hirai from every pore that you really can't mistake that it's a Hen Hirai song. Well, to be truthful, it's pretty hard to mistake a Ken Hirai song since he does have that very distinctive voice... But this song is very true to Ken Hirai's style -- it's one of his sweet ballads with very strong vocals. The thing about this song is that it makes me wonder a bit about him is whether or not he's becoming a bit stagnant... This song is pure Ken Hirai but it reminds me of a lot of his other songs that in some parts, I feel like I've heard it before and that he might have taken it from some of his other songs. It does have it's good points that I adore which is why I uploaded it... Like those nice little refrain right before the chorus parts -- wonderful work there. But the rest of the song... :\ Still, it is a nice, sweet song on it's own with some nice definition at several points of the song so I can't fault it too much.
Next song is Ryuusei by FLOW which I became familiar with when I downloaded FLOW's single collection after hearing COLORS and remembering that I actually do like FLOW's sound. It doesn't start off too well -- it's a bit cacaphonous for me, but it settles down rather well. And there is the best part of the song that starts right before the chorus (found at 1:12 and 2:13) which is simply stunning. The way the voice verberates, the way it flows with the music, how the how song seems to slow down to meet it -- beautiful. Even Kogepan agrees with me, although she's a lot harsher on the song saying that those parts are the only good parts of the song. Me, I think that those parts work with the other parts and smooths out the song and makes it a very bearable song to listen to and because of that, it vaults itself up to on of my favorite FLOW songs.
The last song is from YUI's latest single, CHE.R.RY. At first, I hadn't meant to download it at all. I first saw it on Jpopsuki and then over at the tracker for #anzmp3 and Nipponsei and it seemed to be taunting me to download it. I really only knew of YUI from Bleach since she sung an ending and the current opening and generally, I don't do female vocalists, but then I did end up download it. I really didn't listen to it but I did put it on my iPod, like I do with all my songs. And since lately, I seem to be playing my Recently Added Playlist most often (I've been adding way too many good songs lately and I wanted to listen to them most of all), this song was brought to my attention while I was riding the bus.
My first thoughts were that it's not a bad song at all. YUI does have a really sweet voice which does work in her favor and the song wasn't totally sweet and soft and slow (the three S's that is sure to put me off a song unless it's really good) and when I heard the word "cherry," I knew it had to be this song from her. Overall, a good song to be listening to. There's not much to hate about it (aside from times when YUI's voice becomes a bit too high) and it works well. There's enough variation in this song to keep you from feeling that's it's boring and vocals do work well with the instrumentals. Even Kogepan liked it and she's pretty hard to satisfy.
So there you have it, my current favorite songs. Download what you want, don't, whatever but I'm just throwing them out there. And Kogepan, any songs that you haven't finished downloading? Download now! ^^
