Music Review – Tsukiakari no Michishirube

Tsukiakari no Michishirube (ツキアカリのミチシルベ) is the opening theme for the second season of Darker than Black, Ryuusei no Gemini. This song was created by Stereopony, which is particularly well known for their Bleach opening and ending themes. The title would translate to something equivalent to “The Signpost of the Moonlight”, which I think would’ve worked well with Yin’s arc in season 1, but alas, this song is for the more mediocre season 2.

Alas, I digress. This song is distinctly J-rock, filled with plenty of the sounds that are staples to the genre. Most notable would be the vocals, which overpowers the background music quite a bit. However, the vocals are the best part to this song; strong, emotional, and meshes with the music relatively well.

The lyrics, which can be found translated here, are pretty much about how people get lost in life, and how sometimes life seems so pointless.  A little emo, maybe, but very easy to understand and relate to. I mean, everybody has at least thought about how life is pretty repetitive, and sometimes, seems pointless. Nevertheless, the lyrics are quite positive, saying that the moonlight acts as a guide illuminating one’s path.

The vocals suit the tone of the lyrics, and creates a well done, emotion evoking song. Although the background music is weak (the vocals, as I mentioned earlier, overpower the music), the overall song is quite catchy, and worth listening too.

Overall Score: 7.8/10

Although one of my personal favorites, objectively speaking this song does nothing revolutionary. Solid lyrics, with strong vocals, creates a catchy and memorable J-pop song.

Now if only Darker than Black Ryuusei no Gemini had been a better season….

Tsukiakari no Michishirube (TV OP):

Working!! – 09

「Kotori-chan’s Debut!」

Heroman – 09

Woah, talk about angry. In this episode, after Joey repeatedly blocks Kogorr’s attacks, Kogorr counterattacked. Joey, not expecting the attack, gets knocked unconsious.

Of course, Heroman goes nuts and tries to kill the evil bug. Although I don’t really like how heroman always goes super saiyan, I guess this turn of events proves that even robots could get angry 😡

Nevertheless, nothing special in particular happens. Joey kills the evil dude, stops the alien invasion, and saves the world. Typical stuff. From the preview, it seems like the new enemies will be some sort of human organization after heroman. Go figure; you notice that, in the end, a group of humans always end up as the enemy in most anime? I guess this reflects how some of us might think; that humans are the most capable of evil.

Anime Popularity Ranking at Akiba G-Store

1st Place: K-On!!*

Madhouse’s TVA Iron Man to be aired on October 1st

It has been officially announced that the Madhouse’s new animation “Ironman”, based on Marvel’s well-known comic book, is going to be aired on October 1st, 2010. I wonder if we are going to be watching this during the next year’s EAC meetings. 🙂

Steve’s Recommendation – Abenobashi Mahou Shoutengai (2002)

From the first impression of the title, which is translated as Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, one would think this is a Gainax’s new series filled with magics and adventures that would represents a deviation from the company’s love for military-mecha genre such as Neon Genesis Evangelion and Mahoromatic. If you are just looking for magics and fantasies, you would definitely find it disappointing, for the whole purpose of this series is endless parodies; think of it as Excel Saga, but with less chaos in it.

Angel Beats! – 09

Angel Beats!  episode 09 – 「In Your Memory」

Oh god, what an episode.

Otonashi’s past (after the initial train crash) was probably the most emotionally powerful backstory throughout the entire series so far. The backstories for previous characters felt a little forced (like Naoi,Iwasawa, Hinata, etc) and I often found it hard to connect with any of those characters, with the exception of maybe Yurippe’s tragic background. Their stories, although tragic in their own way, didn’t really evoke any sort of strong emotion or sympathy.

Maybe it’s because I, as a viewer, have had more time to develop more of a connection with Otonashi as the main character, that his backstory is just that more  touching to me . Quite honestly, his story just screams “done by Key”, chock full and loaded with tear inducing tragedy that is a trademark of Maeda’s writing style. Well played, Maeda, Well played…

Music Review – Brave Song

Brave song, by Aoi Tada, is the ending theme for the currently airing anime Angel Beats. I am completely unfamiliar with Tada’s works, so this song is my first time hearing any of her compositions.

This song is reminiscent of most Japanese ballads; a song with a slow, peaceful tune to it. The vocals for this song are very calm and collected, a voice that gives off the vibe of hopeful loneliness (if that makes any sense ^.^; )

The lyrics for this song, translated here, is less generic than the thousands and thousands of other Japanese songs about love, instead telling a tale of a girl that can only look forward. A girl that must stay strong, and keep walking forward, even without a friend by her side. And yet, one day, when that loneliness is gone, she will be a regular girl once more.

The song itself is rather generic, with little to differentiate itself from other ballad type songs. The vocals do match the lyrics quite well, and produce a very melancholic, somewhat emotional feeling to it. Overall, a well executed piece but nothing special.

Overall Score: 7.8/10

A well done song, although slightly on the generic side. Nevertheless, a heartwarming little tune.

Brave song (TV version):

Angel Beats! 08

Episode 08 – 「Dancer in the Dark」

This episode feels like a mix of an mmorpg, mixed in with a bit of naruto kage bunshins, with a dash of forced comedy, and some plot (with another cliffhanger -.- ).

Working!! 08

Episode 08 – Inami, First O-u-ting!

And here it is: the obligatory hot springs episode that is apparently necessary for every single slice of life anime known to mankind. However, they didn’t include the bathing scene at all whatsoever. In fact, there wasn’t even a bit fanservice that I could see. WAIT A SECOND!  A hot springs episode and NO bathing scenes?! What is this blasphemy?!