30-Day Song Challenge Day 17: Songs You Like Hearing Live

So I’ve never been to a J-pop concert in person before (sad, I know). But it is one of my goals, so I’m tryin’! In the meantime, however, YouTube recordings of performances will have to suffice. And at this moment, there’s only two bands I can think of that I especially love to hear live:

Anything by fripSide: “only my railgun,” “sister’s noise,” “LEVEL5 -judgelight-,” “black bullet,” “HesitationSnow,” “fortissimo -from insanity affection-,” “late in autumn,” and more

Today, fripSide at the AFA Singapore 2014 x MVR series with “sister’s noise”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mKtY3lCiT4

I found the most recent one that I could, but doesn’t Yoshino Nanjo look like she’s having a blast? I love the Misaka clone and Kuroko that lurk around the stage dancing! Gah, so adorable :> But I love fripSide’s live performances because A) they go all out with the light show, B) Nanjo always has on the coolest outfits (see America, you don’t have to wear a swimsuit to rock a good music video), and C) everyone is so full of energy! The band members, the crowd – you can practically feel the sweat dripping it’s so intense.

Anything by Yuki Kajiura, performed by Kalafina: “To the Beginning,” Heavenly Blue,” “Hikari no Senritsu,” “ring your bell,” “Magia,” and more

Today, Kalafina with “ring your bell” LIVE 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIzmQn26HJk

Gosh, these three are always so beautiful, so graceful. In contrast to fripSide’s flashy performances, Kalafina opts in for heavenly, majestic, powerful, sometimes somber performances (harmony to die for). Yes, their style is completely different besides there being three of them and only Nanjo for fripSide, but it feels more personal with them – more like a professional concert rather than a pop one. Both are incredible to watch, and I wish I could see both of them in concert one of these days 🙂

So there are two of the best bands EVER – GO WATCH FROM THEM AND ENJOY! I honestly love them both so much! What I’d give to go to a performance . . . Tune in tomorrow for more awesome songs and bands, till then, this has been

– Takuto, your host

30-Day Song Challenge Day 16: Songs That Are Your Guilty Pleasure

Ufufufu I’ve got too many of these . . . We better get started!

From Fee!, “Rage On” by OLDCODEX

Do I even have to explain? I mean, I feel pretty guilty for loving this song considering the context of the show, but then again, I also love Free!. But who doesn’t? Speaking as a guy who did not care for sports anime (or sports in general) nor care for sexy boy muscles glistening in the sun, I was OVERLY IMPRESSED with what this show presented. Naturally, I fell in love with this song pretty quickly, but whenever it starts blaring from my phone or speakers, I dive head-first into the pause button and desperately scan the area for nearby listeners. Yeah, I’m pretty sad to watch, but I’m a fan at heart. Isn’t that all that counts?

From Yamada’s First Time (B Gata H Kei), “”Oshiete A to Z” by Yukari Tamura

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G95D6dhd2FE

Okay, this sparkling song is my jam, and if you start judgin’ I will kick you out! Naw, just kidding (but seriously) :> This song is magical; no matter what kind of day you might be having, just one listen to this baby will fix you up quick! Glowing with positive vibes, I just want to get up and dance around! Wrong day, I know, but I can’t express how much I adore this tune. 😀

From Strike Witches, “Watashi ni Dekiru Koto” by Megumi Nakajima

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID-yqX0hc28

YESS OH MY GOD – It’s the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, the Strike Witches!! This along with Yamada are indeed guilty pleasure shows. No pants, sometimes no shirt means ALL OF THE FAN SERVICE. The song is uber sparkly and fluffy, so it would be really awkward if people caught you jamming out to these cool chicks’ theme song.

From A Certain Scientific Railgun, “Onee-sama . . .”

Dun dunnn! You can feel the eerie snake wriggling around your legs, squeezing and releasing, but she crawls up your airy shirt and around your waist, hovering above your navel. Suddenly, she strikes the chest and makes squirmy love to you as you stand there, utterly mortified. This is the relationship Kuroko shares with here “sissy” Mikoto Misaka, the fearsome Railgun of Tokiwadai.

From Kyoukai no Kanata or Beyond the Boundary, the idol song, “Yakusoku no kizun”

Is it guilty to say that this was my favorite scene from the anime? NONE OF IT HAD ANY RELATION TO THE PLOT (like anyone actually watched it for the story when it’s this drop-dead gorgeous). I mean, I feel no shame right now, so that’s got to count. But seriously, all idol songs can make a person feel pretty shameful sometimes, but it’s just another ‘genre’ of music – get over it people. Right now, I just wish I could have Akihito Kanbara’s outfit (the blonde kid) so that I can swing my hips with them 🙂

It honestly looks so fun. That coordination though #friendshipgoals

From Special A, “Gorgeous 4U” by the guys from the show(?)

I literally know nothing about this show and the song other than my sister likes it a ton, and that I’ve walked in on a couple of episodes a year or two ago and sat to watch. I don’t know why this song is a guilty pleasure, but it is. My favorite singer is the loud brown-haired boy just because I love how youthful it sounds! This song reminds me of playing in the summer and watching anime. Ahh those were the days, and they already feel so far away.

From Ouran High School Host Club, “Sakura Kiss” (preferably English)

Another one I watched with my sister, but I gave this one a 10/10 mind you. KISS KISS FALL IN LOVE!!!

(I also love the English ending <3)

Alright, enough of my fanboying! Hopefully tomorrow will bring us something a little more, hmm, sophisticated? Haha, anyway those are some of my guilty pleasure anime songs, and I think you’ll like and recognize most of them. I just noticed we’re over HALFWAY DONE! Nice! Until tomorrow, this has been

– Takuto, your host

30-Day Song Challenge Day 15: A Song People Wouldn’t Expect You To Like

Agh, we’re another day behind, but no worries – I immediately knew what to choose for this day! Keeping things short, like we do here in the cafe, let’s get to it!

From WataMote, “Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Warui” by Konomi Suzuki n’ Kiba of Akiba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsCUU_QL4T8

Yep, it’s that screamo punk opening for WataMote, a show about a lonely, unimportant girl. At first, I was really skeptical about this opening. I don’t like screamo music at all, but something about this song feels surprisingly light. After several episodes, the song becomes catchy and the powerful music video that goes with it helps convey the emotions that Kuroki felt (the whole chain-breaking part). That little jazz groove in the middle is pretty chill, too. My brother was always trying to skip the opening when he watched it, and when I told him that I wanted to listen to it, he gave me a funny brow look.

From Tokyo Ghoul, “Unravel” by TK from Ling Tosite Sigure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SpyQ67GyPc

You all probably know about my little fit with this song (yes, the composition has been completed for a while now, I’m just not sure how to record it yet). Anyway, TK is the vocalist, which The Huge Anime Fan kindly pointed out to me that he is the singer with the high-pitched screamish voice, and not a band 😛 I first heard him in Psycho-Pass, but after “Unravel” his style really grew on me. Perhaps that’s proof of me evolving as a listener . . .

And there you have it. Two songs that, if you knew me in person, you would NOT expect me to enjoy so much :> Alright, I’m gonna hop over to day 16 now. Ja ne ~

– Takuto, your host

30-Day Song Challenge Day 14: Songs You Liked When You Were Younger

Thank you all for the birthday praise :D, I haven’t read any of it yet (killer suspense, I know), but I will sometime tonight or tomorrow!! I had such an awesome day with family and even got to order some expensive anime, so I will be expecting some nice mail in due time. And yes, the cake was fantastic, sorry I couldn’t serve you all a piece 😉

But that celebrating aside, we’ve got day 14 of the song challenge. Something I liked when I was younger . . . hmm, ooh, I think I’ve got a few to fit the bill!

Hamtaro Opening (old English dub)

OMG I didn’t realize how cringe-worthy this was until now. Oh lawd, it’s been a looonng time hehe. I’ve got nothing else to say on this one other than I still have tapes of this in my room. “Little hamsters, big adventures” :>

Code Lyoko Opening (English)

I know this is technically a French production, but it’s got all of the vibes of anime, so I went ahead and threw it in because this was my jam way back when! My siblings and I would dress up and “login to Lyoko” where we would basically throw pillows at invisible targets. It was lame as all hell, but you can’t deny childhood! How I miss this show ~

The Sailor Moon Theme Song in English

Some things are actually better in English, and to me, this is one of those great things. This song needs no introduction, it’s freakin’ Sailor Moon! I LOVE THESE LYRICS. My sister still has a ton of random tapes from when we picked those up at the local store in our early childhood. In fact, she’s got them displayed in her little anime shelf of her own #raisedwell

But seriously, if childhood had an anthem for anime fans, it has got to be this. Has anyone seen the new dub by Viz Media yet? I’ve been dying to, but I heard they dropped all of the old English dub names, which is kind of a bummer. I actually thought that those were their real names until I learned what dubbing was lol, like ya do. I still plan to pick up Sailor Moon S, as I believe that is my favorite!

And that’ll do it for day 14! Other suitable songs would have been any of the Pokemon themes, the Beyblade Metal Fusion English opening, and, as much as I love/hate it, the Bakugan opening. If you know what that show is, you’re my new favorite 🙂 I’ll stop using emoticons now, till tomorrow ~

– Takuto, your host

30-Day Song Challenge Day 13: A Song You Sing To In The Shower

(There’s sadly no Railgun today, but it’s a shower. I had to play along with the theme. Sue me.)

I rarely sing in the shower because I know others can hear outside the door. So sadly, that is one benefit I do not indulge in for living with my family. But late at night after hours of homework, sometimes a steamy shower is in order. As the warm water flushes out my icky worries, however, a hum or two might escape. I’ve got a few incredible songs today, and you can bet your money that I’m humming to them as I write this 🙂

From Kill la Kill, “Ambiguous” by GARNiDELiA

First is Kill la Kill‘s superior second opening that has honestly become one of my favorite songs evehhh! It’s got that toe-tappin’ beat, a fresh, positive melody, and an addicting chorus. When I can, I’ll listen to this song from my phone as I drive around town running errands and whatnot. It’s a fantastic way to start a day, and an epic way to end one. If you haven’t watched Kill la Kill because you are turned off by the lack of clothing, I urge you to persevere, for after the all of the rough bloodshed and ripped panties, there’s a breathtaking sunset waiting just for you :> Is the content ambiguous? Yes, for sure. But the results are absolutely worth it.

From Fate/Zero, “Sora Wa Takaku Kaze Wa Utau” by Luna Haruna

Enter one of anime’s greatest ending themes to ever be heard. Fate/Zero was already a breathtaking show, but this song elevates things to perfection. Passionate as ever, Luna Haruna sings her heart out in this tragic love song (I don’t know the words, but it sounds that way and fits the characters represented). The somewhat “magical, Indian-sounding” instrumentals lay the foreign groundwork for these moving lyrics excellently, making it a song unlike any other (let alone for an anime). This song is responsible for my love of Irisviel, Kiritsugu’s trying wife. Fate/Zero‘s love story is out to break hearts, and this song guarantees that a void will be left once the crimson curtains close. So many feels, so fitting for the anime.

From Neon Genesis Evangelion, “Fly Me To The Moon” by Claire, other versions, too

The ultimate shower-singin’ song right here. Enjoy this Jazz favorite from an anime that’s oh so good!

And there are a few awesome tunes that I might hum to in the shower, assuming that nobody is around 😉 I hope you enjoyed the songs that I picked because they both also hold dear places in my heart. I have a special announcement for tomorrow, but until then it’s quite late. See you ~

– Takuto, your host

30-Day Song Challenge Day 12: A Song That Reminds You Of Your Best Friend

Best friend. Hmm, I currently don’t have one of those, but rather a small group of individuals whom I talk to more than others. Does that count? Also, I know I’m a day late again, but better late than never . . . right?

From Soul Eater, “Resonance” by T.M.Revolution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lO82jkWOmw

If someone mentioned this anime prior to this past spring, than I just hit them over the head and ignored them. I thought Soul Eater was the stupidest looking show ever – until I watched it. My friend, who shall remain nameless for now, was fairly new to anime. He was a childhood friend, so in elementary and middle school we were pretty close buds. But then we grew further apart as we had different interests, classes, etc. So now, finally “reunited” with him, I led our conversation on to anime, and he mentioned that he was saving up his money for, yep, you guessed it, Soul Eater. Ugh, I thought to myself. He’s new to anime and he’s already picking one of the dumbest shows to exist. Why not watch Steins;Gate? That’s the real good stuff!

But I simply nodded, happy that I had something else to spark up conversations with. A couple months pass, I let him do his thing, and I watch Evangelion among others. It wasn’t until I was scoping around the cruel world that is online shopping that I noticed the Halloween-esque show pop up.

It was only $30. So I bought it.

Each day after coming home I would watch an episode or two with my brother, who by the way had the same pre-thoughts as myself. 51 episodes later, it was over, and I was surprisingly sad. I still haven’t told my friend that I watched it, and I’m not sure if he even went out of his way to pick up a copy. But I think about it whenever I hear this song. Did he ever get to purchase the series? Is he even into anime anymore? 

Well, I suppose I could go ask.

Songs like this are powerful. The ability to not only bring back memories of you watching it, but also to remind you of your closest friends are unique and should be treasured forever. Does a song out there remind you of your best friend? I’m sure we all have one, so drop it down below in the comments. Because I was swamped with work yesterday, I have two entries to post tonight, so see you in a little bit ~

– Takuto, your host

30-Day Song Challenge Day 11: Songs That Remind You Of Summer

Ahhh, summer, it’s a shame you have passed, as my S word has taken your throne (ongoing joke with MarvelouslyMismatched, hi btw). I think I’ll start sobbing if I continue, so I’ll just get to the songs. We’ve got a lot of them today, so I’ll keep my ramblings short!

“Sailor Star Song” by Kae Hanazawa

I’ve never actually seen all of this particular season, but I came across this song while searching for something Beyblade way back in the day. I think we were looking for songs to listen to while we played, and BAM, summer was complete! I reminisce about my childhood quite often, as I cherish all of the lovely memories, and this just happens to be a snippet from my life. 🙂

From Negima!?’s character soundtrack, “Kenkou Ichiban” sung by characters Fei Ku and Lingshen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOdfFDTe2Yc

More Beyblade background noise, but ooohh gawd, this song brings back all kinds of memories of playing with my sister. We made our own B-Pit, which was the shop in Beyblade Metal Fusion. We took turns playing shopkeeper and sold our own parts to each other :> Oh the silly things of youth! It’s been a while since I’ve heard this one.

From A Certain Scientific Railgun, “LEVEL 5 – judgelight” by fripSide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuM_qryESgE

As part of my “first summer anime expansion,” Railgun was the best anime from the selection. I clearly recall obsessing the hell out of it, even to the point where I took notes about the AIM concepts (I still OBSESS). Since I already used the first opening, I opted for the second, as it’s just as fantastic! It fits the atmosphere Therestina created in the second half perfectly! I spent many a hot, sunny, summer days watching this one on my bed, like ya do ~

From Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club, “Splash Free” by Style Five

C’mon, you can’t have summer without this girl-pleasing water-dripping muscle-flexing show! This sassy song is the ending for the swimming anime, and its desert visuals are such an outstanding contrast! I think that’s all I say for now. Yup. Who’s excited for the English dub??

From Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea, “lull ~Soshite Bokura wa~” by Ray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI4Yw7B6s4E

Nothing screams summer than an anime that takes place 50% in THE WATER! I just got done watching this anime a couple weeks ago, and it left quite the void. Those days I spent relaxing in my room while the sun hammered the city will never be forgotten with this cool song ~

From The Future Diary, “Kuusou Mesorogiwi” by Yousei Teikoku

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbZtrZGxR9o

Weren’t expecting this, were you. You thought it’d be something so cheery and summer-y, right? I watched this anime when I reunited with my California cousins who I rarely get to see. After a bit of catching up, and awkwardness, we both revealed that we love anime, and BAMMM instant buddies again 😀 We watched it through my sister’s Thunderbolt (a phone) and I remember one of the local kids trying to squeeze himself into our frame. He had a dripping dill pickle in his right hand, and I think some of the juices got on our pants. *facepalm* But it’s the memories that count, right?

Whew! That’s a lot of songs for one day. Tune in tomorrow where I’ll try not to upload my entire playlist, hehe. ‘Till then, this has been

– Takuto, your host

30-Day Song Challenge Day 10: A Song That Annoys You

Ufufufu, I was wondering when this one was going to pop up ~

Hello all! Seeing as how I constantly complain about this challenge draining my time and energy, it came to me that, “Perhaps if I don’t pick a hundred songs per day, then this would be a lot more convenient.” Well, I suppose I could do that, but then I wouldn’t be saying everything that I want to say. So I won’t, but today I made an exception, as there’s really only one lowly song I can think of that fits this day to a T . . .

From Sword Art Online, “Crossing Field” by LiSA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lpe_XA2F6c

GAHHH, NOT THIS SONG AGAIN!! Yep, I’m gonna torture your souls hehe. But why does this song annoy me? Is it the anime it’s from? Is it a bad song? No and no. This song annoys me because while this show was airing, it was literally the only song I found browsing the YouTube anime community. It was in all of the top tens, top OPs of all time, in anime reviews, unboxings, EVERYTHING. If you didn’t know, I actually enjoyed SAO a good deal, and I’m not ashamed to saying that I like it. As for LiSA, this singer is one of the Japanese pop goddesses, so I absolutely love her work and the song! It’s just that this song is overplayed. I’m a dog (or a cat, cause cats are cool) flicking my ears for ticks when this song comes on a playlist. JUST MAKE IT STOP. At least AoT‘s opening sounds like titans crushing through walls and humanity fighting till its last dying breath. Do you want to know what I immediately think of when I hear this song? Really wanna know?

“AAAAASSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” – wise quote by the Black Swordsman himself

I hope you got a good chuckle out of this post because I won’t lie, I kind of did :> See you all tomorrow for day eleven!

– Takuto, your host

30-Day Song Challenge Day 9: Songs That Make You Want To Dance

Whoop whoop! All the people in the café, get up and DANCE! Naw, just kidding’, I can’t dance even if my life depended on it. But what I can do is pick songs that I would dance to. Sound good? Great, let’s get our groove on ~

“Mr. Taxi” by Len Kagamine, original by Girl’s Generation (SNSD)

First up is the ultra sexy “Mr. Taxi.” Did I ever mention that my favorite Vocaloid was Len Kagamine? To me, his voice sounds the most natural, and is easiest on the ears. I don’t listen to a whole lot of Vocaloid music, but when I do, clear outta my way, cause I’ll be jiggin’ to Len’s sassy voice for days! This song’s hot beat and techno jam are incredibly addicting! Maybe I should start my Vocaloid season again . . .

“Electric Angel” by Rin and Len Kagamine, arranged by Giga-P

Enter my first and favorite Vocaloid song ever! This song is so uplifting that just one listen any day could make me happy out of my mind! Plus, it’s cute 😉 The contrast between the Kagamine twins (Rin’s sharp sweet high voice vs Len’s rich youthful tone) is the best by far. Rin and Len give all of the Vocaloids a run for their money in my opinion, and this song drives that point home. Like “Mr. Taxi,” this song is super addicting, so make sure you listen to this song only if you don’t mind it pounding your brain for a week after LOL

From Yona of the Dawn, “Akatsuki no Hana” by Cyntia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkdUI9F8AYs

I gotta give my girl Yona the spotlight sometime, so what better time than with her second opening? This guitar-slapping J-pop song is one that never gets old for me. Beginning the song is some beaming techno, but after the verse, the chorus explodes with this rebellious shoujo red-headed princess! You ought to check out Yona of the Dawn if you want a shoujo anime with a strong female lead who develops from a frail, spoiled princess to a proud women, and finally, a fierce warrior. My only problem with this recording is that it is a Nightcore arrangement 😦 sorry, I couldn’t find one without some sort of audio change.

From Log Horizon, “The Elder Tale Waltz” by Yasuharu Takanashi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W22EjhDOD-o

Haha, gotcha! Did you think we were just gonna jam out to Vocaloid and techno music? There’s got to be some variety, and nothing compares to a good old fantasy waltz. Waltzes, in fact, are probably my favorite type of classic music! So naturally, when this popular game anthem cued in the show, and the Shiroe and Henrietta recognized it as the game’s main theme, I flipped sh*t! It was such a cool gimmick and a wonderful surprise for us fans. This song is also responsible for my loving the character Henrietta. When she started teaching the bumbling strategist how to dance the waltz, using her bard skills to their fullest, I fell in love 🙂

And now I’m all caught up . . . until tomorrow. Darn, this challenge is really keeping me occupied. I’ve been nominated for a few awards in my absence from my normal blogging (THANK YOU SO MUCH), so when this is over, I’ll have to thank everyone properly. But until tomorrow, this has been

– Takuto, your host

30-Day Song Challenge Day 8: Songs That Make/Made You Cry

I know, shame on me for being a day late. But I’m not skipping any days in this challenge, so I’ll just post two today. Now to pick today’s songs . . .

Dammit, I’ve already used “Ichiban no Takaramono” from Angel Beats! *bites thumb*

Like I mentioned about sad songs, no song by itself has really made me “cry,” but in the context of a given anime, things are a little different. With that said, I’ll once again choose songs that, when played with their respective scenes from the show, make/made me cry. Grab your tissues, and here we go 😥

From No.6, “Kaze no Requiem” snug by either Nezumi or Safu

Spoilers for No.6 below. CAUTION

I know for a fact that No.6 is not a very “good” show from a reviewer’s standpoint. But because I think of myself as more of an anime fan than a critical reviewer, I’ll give this little show all the lovin’ I want! One of two male leads, Nezumi, sings this tune throughout the entirety of the series. Notably, however, it can be heard in the last episode when his boy Shion is shot. Mourning over the loss of his love, Nezumi croaks this song as the city around him is being torn to pieces. The scene ripped my heart out; everything from his choking gasps to the dry tears in his soulless eyes just hits me right in the gut. His normally rich, low voice becomes flaky and parched as he strains himself to protect what was once an upbeat, energetic youth, now a lifeless body. This song is both melancholy and uplifting at the same time, which to me is a rare quality to find in songs.

And here is the second version, which is the continuation and remix of Safu singing after Nezumi stops. Her voice is utterly enchanting, but I think the reason I like it almost more than Nezumi’s is the opera chorus that rings in the background. It helps recreate that heavenly feeling when Nezumi came in contact with Elyurias.

Also from No.6, “Rokutosei no Yoru” by Aimer

I don’t think I really need to explain myself, cause just listen to it, I mean, it’s not necessarily a happy song >.< I’ll spare you my banter, enjoy the song. This slow, depressing rock is great to listen to on long rides 🙂

From Shinsekai Yori, “Going Home” by Dvorak, 2nd Movement from the New World Symphony

I don’t even know what happened to me, but when that last episode cued and this song played in the last few minutes, I completely lost it. I don’t think I cried, but man, I was a complete emotional mess after that! Very seldom does classical music mash so well with anime, and From the New World incorporated the piece brilliantly.

From Puella Magi Madoka Magica, “Decretum” by Yuki Kajiura

Okay, let me just clarify that all of the Madoka songs brought many feels. But I think “Decretum” brought the tears home when I first watched this catastrophe. Though she’s not my favorite, Sayaka Miki was definitely the most depressing to watch. That fake yet triumphant smile, the way she flittered around with Madoka, her near selflessness to save another’s soul – isn’t that what being a magical girl is all about? She lived a tragic life, and the Law of Cycles claimed her being in the end.

From Code Geass R2, “Continued Story” by Hitomi Kuroishi

The greatest moment of Code Grass: The moment when you finally understand how Lelouch will put an end to the Britannian Empire . . .

Just listen to it. I won’t have to explain my feelings this way. Why does this guy have to toy with my emotions? God dammit, ALL HAIL LELOUCH, YOU RIGHTOUS BASTARD IN BLACK

So before I start thinking too much about all of these depressing moments, I’m going to go write the next challenge post. AGH, I gotta stop picking so many songs per day >.< See you in a little bit!

– Takuto, your host