Spring Playlist '16

Spring Playlist '16

Wednesday, June 29, 2016 / No Comments

Oh look! Most series have aired their last episode. And yet, I still procrastinate on choosing my playlist for this Spring season. Being distracted by new things makes the older ones feel left out. On the bright side, I got back into gaming again. With my newly bought PS4, I’ve been spending my time playing around and trying different games, regretting some of my purchases while being delighted on others that had entertained. Overwatch and Broforce has been in my mind most of the time and from time to time, I do play Touhou Gensou Rondo. But on the darker side of things, my schedule has completely changed and I don’t even watch as much anime as I used to. I decided to cramp all of them together to see how it plays out. 

Anyways, let’s start the playlist!

First up is from Anne Happy!. The opening theme “PUNCH☆MIND☆HAPPINESS” by Happy Clover. I just can’t get enough of this song. It’s so fun to dance and sing along. I just can’t help it. I have to move some part of my body to it. With the funny emotions put into it and the cheering. This is most definitely my favorite song for this season.

Next is the opening from Bakuon!. “FEELxALIVE” by Sasaki Sayaka. This is another song that I too can’t help but tap my feet to. The vocals really go well with the song. The chorus feels pumping with energy. It’s really a feel good song.

Following that is from flying witch. The opening “シャンランラン” by miwa (Sharanran by miwa). This song as well is another song that you have to move your body to despite being less upbeat than the others. It has this fluffy atmosphere emanating from it which really fits the character Makoto. And the chorus with the clapping. I can't help but wait for to come and clap along with it. The style of this song greatly reminds me of Goose House.

After that we have Kuromukuro with its opening “デストピア” by GLAY (Deathtopia by GLAY). I am sure a lot of us have this song as one of the top few songs for this season. This song actually passed me when I was watching Kuromukuro as the anime wasn’t really that interesting in my opinion. 

Go back to To Love-Ru, Sairenji. You're lost

With a less fan-servicey Sairenji Haruna as the main heroine, it kind of puts me off. Don’t get me wrong. I don't hate Haruna. I actually do like her and of course I do look forward to her fan service. But the anime makes me have the impression that she is just some knock-off. Just throwing it out there.

Up next is the opening for Re: Zero kara Hajimaru Isekai, “Redo” by 鈴木このみ (Redo by Konomi Suzuki). Come on. Who doesn’t have this one in their list? It’s pumping with energy and emotions. There’s an introduction, a buildup, the confrontation, conflict, climax and then the resolution. It’s basically like an action packed story but the hero dies a victorious death. You can feel emotions put into it and coming out of it. Strangely enough, I am not sure why this song reminds me of “This game” by Konomi Suzuki. Well, apart from the singer.

Following that is the ending for the above mentioned anime, “STYX HELIX” by MYTH & ROID. Having been appearing in more anime ending this few seasons, I have come to really like their voice. Ever since the ending from Overlord and then Bubuki Buranki, they have a special place in my heart with their Japanese-English songs. Their English is not perfect but it doesn’t put you off from the song. The song feels gloomy from its chorus, makes this sense of solitude appear from within you. It kind of sways you. Anybody getting it? Just me? 

I don’t what to say if you guys don’t enjoy this song as much as I do. The opening for the popular anime, Sakamoto desu ga?. “COOLEST” by カスタマイZ (COOLEST by Customi Z) is so addicting to listen to. I would vaguely describe it as tone down OPM opening but with a bit more class. But come on. OPM opening is on another level. Anyway, I can’t help but shout along at their buildup to the chorus and the chorus. It just feels like they were having so much fun singing it.

Come on. Who doesn't love this scene?

The next one is a similar style to Anne Happy!’s opening. Sansha Sanyou brings its upbeat and quirky opening “クローバー♣かくめーしょん” by とりぷる♣ふぃーりんぐ (Clover♣Kakumation by Triple♣Feeling). I don't know why but this season I find this type of song style very entertaining to listen to. I am looking forward to theirs than other anime. I don't know if it’s just me but I think I heard them saying a malay word in their song in the second part of the song. The world “alamak” came to my ear as I was listening to it. I went to check it and it makes no sense that it isn’t what I heard as it actually fits the line of saying that the cat is so cute. It’s like saying “Oh gosh, this kitten is so cute!” Hmm…

After that we have Magi: Sinbad no Bouken with the ending “ポラリス” by フジファブリック (Polaris by Fujifabric). When it Spring season started, this was the song that I kept listening and going back to. It has a rhythm that I couldn’t help but tap my feet and sway my head to. And when the chorus approaches, I prepare myself to sing along with the singer. Zenshin zenrei subete wo tsukamu yo. It also gives off this fleeting feeling and the chorus feel so immersive as if you can see the world through it.

Finally, the last song didn't come from one of the main 23 minutes series for this season but from a short 3 minutes. The ending for the anime Wagamama High Spec, “ハイスペックDays” by 大島はるな (High Spec Days by Haruna Ooshima). I especially like the chorus for this song. The highly reminiscent visual novel style of song really got me into it.

Now, the recommendations for this season…

Anne Happy! ED - “明日でいいから” by Happy Clover

Bakuon! ED - “ぶぉん!ぶぉん!らいど・おん!” by 佐倉羽音(CV.上田麗奈)/鈴乃木凜(CV.東山奈央)/天野恩紗(CV.内山夕実)/三ノ輪聖(CV.山口立花子)

Boku no Hero Academia OP - “THE DAY” by ポルノグラフィティ

Boku no Hero Academia ED - “Heroes” by Brian the Sun

Gakusen Toshi Asterisk Season 2 ED - “愛の詩-words of love-” by 千菅春香

Hundred ED1 - “EYES ON ME” by エミリア(CV.大久保瑠美)&サクラ(CV.吉岡茉祐)

Joker Game OP - “REASON TRIANGLE” by QUADRANGLE

Kiznaiver OP - “LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME” by BOOM BOOM SATELLITES

Kizniaver ED - "はじまりの速度” by 三月のパンタシア

Kotetsujou no Kabaneri OP - “KABANERI OF THE IRON FORTRESS by EGOIST

Kotetsujou no Kabaneri ED - “ninelie” by Aimer x Chelly

Kuma MIkp ED - “KUMAMIKO DANCING” by 日本ACG

Macross Delta OP - "一度だけの恋なら” by ワルキューレ

Macross Delta ED - “ルンがピカッと光ったら” by ワルキューレ

Mayoiga OP - “Gensou Drive” by Ami Wajima

Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta? OP - “1st Love Story” by Luce Twinkle Wink☆

Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta? ED - “ゼロイチキセキ” by 南條愛乃

Sinbad no Bouken OP - “スポットライト” by PENGUIN RESEARCH

Sansha Sanyou ED - “ぐーちょきパレード” by とりぷる♣ふぃーりんぐ

Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge OP - “うたたねサンシャイン” by Unlimited tone

Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge ED - “BON-BON” by CooRie

Hahaha… That’s a lot. Thing is, I have not finish any of the anime for this season as I have been concentrating on my games. They’re just piling up in one corner and I never got to it even though I keep telling myself to. Looks like I’ll be marathoning through all of them in one go or I’ll lose the will to. I really need to organize my schedule properly. Where's my producer when you need her? Quoting Soldier 76, “I am not a young man anymore”.

Mata ne~

Written by Zwei

A Cardio-friendly Songlist

A Cardio-friendly Songlist

Saturday, May 14, 2016 / No Comments

If anybody has barely begun their cardio routine in an effort to perhaps make life a little more productive, may I suggest a little songlist to complement the somewhat highly unmotivating task. Yeah, the jukebox is up and running a little steadier, after a turbulent situation which I still have no complete idea what it was triggered by. However, let me remind all that this songlist hasn't been widely tested by runners and people who think that they are running but are in fact wobbling along the tracks on a particularly uneventful day. They are anime songs, catered to different stages of your cardio session.

For dashers, I recommend the opening theme song from the anime Bakuon!, titled Feel x Alive, by Sasaki Sayaka. While keeping up with a blaring motorcycle is technically not quite possible (if it is please ignore this little statement), the rhythm entices speed enthusiasts to charge forward under the freaking hot sun (while trying not to collapse under the freaking hot sun). I would so loop this while riding a bicycle (sorry I don't have a biker's licence) in the middle of the park. Well, the first thing that I would have to do is to actually invest in a decent bicycle. My last bicycle died ages ago, and since then I would only cycle very rarely at East Coast Park. In the first place, getting to East Coast Park is already a chore. Anyway, it is an awesome track!

Another great song to run alongside comes from the duo petit milady, Seishun wa Tabemono desu. It is the opening theme song of Pan de Peace!, which is all about bread, bread and more bread. No worries though, as this song doesn't quite lead you to the nearby bakery. If it does however, simply think of it as replenishing nourishment or getting next morning's breakfast for yourself and the rest of the family. Or you could pretend to run and secretly make a detour where a bakery beckons. Bread is largely delicious, and should be warmly embraced. Okay, this isn't really about bread, is it?  

A third suggestion to add to your cardio playlist is COOLEST by CustomiZ. It is the opening theme song of Sakamoto desu ga?, and a fun tune to tap your feet to. The image of Sakamoto has long become necessary to quietly acknowledge as a part of anybody's mind. I just find the coordination oddly hilarious, yet the repetition of such isn't too bad. Sakamoto certainly knows that he is the centre of attention, and we also know that it is just too hard to ignore that centre of attention. But there is still a line somewhere which anybody could step behind if they knew just how to find it. By the way, I'm still tickled by his antics in the first episode.

Well, working out to music isn't so bad. Just remember to be cautious though. The last thing anybody wants is to fall into a drain while keeping up with the sprinting momentum.

Eccentrically Yours.

Written by J.Fluffysheep ♪   

Winter Playlist '1516

Winter Playlist '1516

Wednesday, March 23, 2016 / No Comments

The month of March is coming to an end and so is the winter season anime with an exception of a few leftovers joining the season of spring.  There were a number of anime that I really enjoy watching this season like KonoSuba and Boku Dake ga Inai Machi (though some might say otherwise), even if it’s different than the manga. 

Once again, I select the top ten songs that I enjoy throughout the season, which I have to admit was hard to narrow down to the final 10. A few were confirmed right off the bat but the others took a while and a lie down in order to pass the screening process. So, here it is, my top ten songs this winter…

Going in alphabetical order, first is from Ajin with its opening, “Yoru wa Nemureru kai?” by flumpool. This song I really enjoy very much. It is one of the few that I immediately know was one of my top ten the moment I heard it from the first part of its movie. The emotions being put in the song and the alarms blaring in the background makes me so pumped up. I can only imagine how it would be like in a concert. And the chorus really fits the anime well. Run away, run away uso mitai da…

Next is, Boku Dake ga Inai Machi with its ending song, “Sore wa Chiisana Hikari no Youna” by Sayuri. The song starts off slow, captivating you with its vocals and swaying rhythm and when the chorus hits, it picks up pace and gets louder. 

When accompanied with its colourful visuals, it helps to enhance the mood of struggle in the song. I kept replaying it the first time I heard it and it quickly rose to the top. Oh, and what do you guys think of the ending? It felt kind of rushed though. Similar to the Charlotte in a sense.

The next two songs are the opening and ending theme for Bubuki Buranki,  

“Beat you Heart” by Konomi Suzuki and “ANGER/ANGER” by MYTH & ROID. I really look forward to them more than the actual episode itself (I do enjoy the episodes though). The opening with its catchy and upbeat rhythm, the chorus that can get stuck in your head. It makes you feel restless, like you just want to move around to the song. 

The ending is definitely one of my favourite this season, especially with the ending visuals. I don’t know why but it just makes me like Banryu Reoko more every time I listen to it. 

Her craziness is just addicting...

She just exudes style and dominance. And I like the vocals as well, ever since they were introduced in Overlord’s ending.

Durarara!!X2 Ketsu follows after with its ending, “Joker ni Yoroshiku” by PENGUIN RESEARCH. I simply adore the instrumental for this song. I can’t help but tap my fingers with the vocals especially during the chorus. This song is just awesome.

Following that is Dimension W’s opening, “Genesis” by STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION. 

This song is very fun to listen to, more especially with its visuals. The music is just so addicting to move to. Tapping your fingers or moving your body just seems like the natural thing to do, just like what I usually do away from the public eye when I’m outside. I really wanted to put its ending in the top ten but I had to choose others that stand out to me more.

Next is from the Fairy Tail ZERO arc, “Ashita wo Orase” by Kavka Shishido. 

The song came out of nowhere for me as I was interested in the Mavis’s backstory so I started watching Fairy Tail back (Though I’ve caught up with the manga). This song, accompanied with its visuals was quite emotional. The music also reminds me of past western music with its beat and rhythm so it kind of stuck out for me as I really like western music back then. So it was a reminder of how I was like in primary and halfway to secondary school before engrossing myself in just Japanese music and a few other languages as well.

Hai to Sensou no Grimgal follows after with its opening, “Knew day” by (K)NoW_NAME. 

I really like the vocals for this song. It reminds me a bit of nano with its boyish tone (I think the singer’s a woman. Not quite sure). This song serves as a breather of sorts to the other songs. It’s not slow or fast but just right with a rhythm that’s easy to get into. The instrumental for it is actually really good. I really love the violins in the song playing in collaboration with the electric guitar and drums. It puts me in a calming mood despite it being slightly upbeat.

After that is Haruchika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru with its ending, “Kuusou Triangle” by ChouCho. I absolutely love her voice. Ever since I heard it from Mashiro-Iro Symphony’s opening, I fell in love with her voice. It’s just so sweet and mesmerizing. I actually place Haruchika on hold as I couldn’t really get into it at that time but I couldn’t help myself from playing this song on repeat. It’s just so calming with its light tone. Sidetracking a bit, the opening that she sang for Glasslip was the only good thing about the anime. Well, other than the quality of the animations that is…

And finally, from Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Or KonoSuba!, the ending that immediately had me swaying my head with its rhythm, “Chiisana Boukensha” by Aqua, Megumin and Darkness. 

This slow song is very calming to listen to. It tells about an adventurer not really doing well having being injured and being treated like a fool. The song is very hopeful in a way as the adventurers have dreams of exploring the world but it’s brought back to reality, as they have to bring in the laundry. It took me quite a while to actually understand the song a bit as I could grasp some words from the vocals like “today again I’ve been treated like a fool” which was sung by Megumin, words like “fune”, “umi” and “nanatsu no umi” tells me about sailing the seven seas on a ship and finally the last verse of the song sung by Aqua tells about bringing in the laundry. The song is really nice to listen to and fun to decipher what it meant. It really is true to its title of A little Adventurer. And there’s also a second season for it so something to look forward to.

So that was my top ten songs of the season. And now, onto the recommendations…

Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm ED “a-gain” by Ray

Osomatsu-san OP 2 “Zenryoku Batankyuu!” by AOP

Boku Dake ga Inai Machi OP “Re:Re:” by Asian Kung-Fu Generation

Dagashi Kashi OP “Checkmate!?” by MICHI

Dimension W ED “Contrast” by Fo’xTails

Fairy Tail ZERO ED “Landscape” by SOLIDEMO

GATE: Jietai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri 2 OP “ GATE II: Sekai wo Koete” by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets

Glass no Hana to Kowasu Sekai ED "Yume no Tsubomi” by THREE

Hai to Gensou no Grimgal ED “Harvest” by (K)NoW_NAME and ver.2 by Shihoru (Haruka Terui)

Haruchika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru OP “ Niji wo Ametara” by fhána

Kidou Senshi: Gundam Tekketsu no Orphans OP 2 “Survivor” by BLUE ENCOUNT

Koukaku no Pandora OP “hopeness” by ZAQ

Koukaku no Pandora ED “LoSe±CoNtRoL” by Nene Nanakorobi & Clarion

Luck & Logic OP “STORY” by Kensho Ono

Musaigen no Phantom OP “Naked Drive” by SCREEN mode

Norn9 Norn + Nornette OP “Kazakiri” by Nagi Yanagi

Ooya-san wa Shishunki! OP “Ooyasan wa Shishunki!” by every♥ing!

Prince of Stride: Alternative OP “Strider’s High” by OxT

Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage OP “Fast End” by Soraru and Mafumafu

Saijaku no Bahamut ED “Lime Tree” by nano.RIPE

Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen OP 2 “Ame Kakeru Hoshi” by Suara

And something extra, the opening theme of NekoPara Vol. 2, “Doki Doki kokoro Flavor” by Yui Sakakibara, whom I assume voices Azuki. 

Can’t get enough of them nekos…

It was incredibly hard to pick out my top ten songs of the winter, so you could say most of my recommendations above are top ten worthy to me. Silence once again dawns on me as I have reached the end of my Winter 2015/2016 playlist. Most of the anime are ending in the following week so Spring is right around the corner. Let it begin once again…

Mata ne~

Written by Zwei