[Music of the Week] Buono! - Honto No Jibun

Music of the Week
Buono! - Honto No Jibun

I found this group when I'm in the middle of searching all of the Hello! Project songs, and stumbled on Buono! and this music becomes instant favorite ^_^. First time heard this song was like 6 months ago and Buono! now is one of my favorite girls group (I love their latest MV also, I probably will put it for next week) plus~~ Momoko so kawai desu~ ^_^
youtube vid uploaded by teru0207

Enjoy

Note: Honto No Jibun also been used as an ED for Shugo Chara

[Anime Review] Only Yesteday

Only Yesteday

"A good slice of life type but more for mature audience" -bezoe

Taeko Okajima is a typical "office lady" in a big company in a big city. When she takes a sabbatical to the countryside in Yamagata Prefecture, the hometown of her brother-in-law, the journey recalled her memory of her 5th grade year. During her stay in Yamagata, she works hard and happily as a farmer and is surrounded by friendly relatives and villagers, bringing up more memories. Their hospitality makes her to reconsider her choice of life.

Its another "slice of life" type anime from Ghibli. The synopsis above actually is the whole story (well almost). A lot of flash back in this movie and actually that is the best part. I prefer the flashback than the current one. Can't say too much about the story, its not that is boring, but the story revolving around what we encountered daily, so you need to watch it in order to understand it.

Animation was great for 1991 anime, however I dislike the adult characters, especially the main character. Whenever she smile, she looks veryyyy old (its like 27 turn 38 instantly). The 5th grade one looks great.

Bottom line, I think this anime is targeted to a mature audience around 25+, younger audiance I think will bored to death. Watch this anime if you like the genre. I personally don't like it.

Overall rating : B--

[Anime Review] Ocean Waves - Umi ga Kikoeru

Ocean Waves - Umi ga Kikoeru

"Good anime, but boring" -bezoe

Ocean Waves is high school love story set in Kochi, Japan. Morisaku Taku and Matsuno Yutaka are best friends when a girl from Tokyo named Muto Rikako transfers to their school. Excluding herself from group activities, she’s eventually labeled a snob. Matsuno has a crush on Rikako, so it’s no surprise that he gets a little jealous when Morisaku and Rikako start spending more time together. The rumors around school get worse, but Morisaku still insists there is nothing between him and Rikako.

The storyline actually interesting, but I guess the execution of the anime that makes it boring. Too bad this is came from Ghibli studio that I though it always produce a superb anime. But then again, This anime is released for TV station I believe, so I don't think I can considered it to be as same level as movie. Oh btw, this anime released in 1993.

Character design looked very generic, the personality looks plain. Even the animation looks pretty standard, except for the near ending part which I think looks great. The voice acting pretty good and the background drawing was pretty.

Bottom line: Its ok to pass on this one, you won't miss a thing.

Overall rating: C++

[Anime Review] Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

"An anime that will blew everyone minds away" -bezoe

In the post-apocalyptic future, large parts of the world have been swallowed up by forests of poisonous fungi. The remaining humans live near the fungus and its monstrous insectoid inhabitants, trying to prevent its spread. One of the human kingdoms, the peaceful Valley of Wind, loves its gentle Princess Nausicaä and her father the king, but their peace is about to be broken, as they are swallowed up in the machinations of their larger, warmongering neighbours. However, Nausicaä has hidden potential, and may yet change the fate of the world.

It's hard to believe that today is the first time I've watched Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (after 24 years the movie released and I'm a Miyazaki's fan.. lol) I will say, I miss one of the greatest Miyazaki's movie of all time by not watching this one even though I got the DVD sitting on my shelve for like 5 years haha)

Anyway, Nausicaa really an anime that very exciting to watch and enjoy. Even though its a fantasy setting, but it really makes me feel like the world is real. The design of the environment was amazing, the creatures design are also marvelous.

Storyline actually pretty serious, its about war of the neighbouring country that race againts each other in order to obtain ultimate weapon, and unfortunately for the Valley of the Wind, they get involved in the war that they not interested to take part on. Story progress to a very interesting way in later on because of how the Princess from the Valley of the Wind deal with the matters.

Characters design, it's Miyazaki's style, as in other of his animes, its really classic looking but yet very warm and comfort to look at it. Even the hideous monster looks... cute... haha
Can't argue with the animation quality of this anime, its superb!
The roll of music in this anime really makes the anime even better, Kudos to Joe Hisaishi

Bottom line this is a must watch anime, and I really regret to wait for almost 20 years later to enjoy this anime... This one will blew everyone minds away

Overall Rating: A

[Anime Review] Lupin III : The Castle of Cagliostro

Lupin III : The Castle of Cagliostro

"A Robin Hood with Miyazaki's style" -bezoe

After a successful robbery leaves famed theif Lupin III and his partner Jigen with nothing but a large amount of fake money, the so called "Goat Bills", he decides to track down the counterfeiter responsible - and steal any other treasures he may find in the Castle of Cagliostro, including the 'damsel in distress' he finds imprisoned there. However, as usual, Inspector Zenigata is hot on his trail.

Tracking the legendary counterfeits known as "Goat Bills," international thief Arsene Lupin III arrives at the Duchy of Cagliostro. Once there, he nearly rescues a damsel in distress from the Regent's guards. Following his failure, Lupin takes it upon himself to save her from captivity.

Its very hard to describe how good this anime is. Because its perfect in every aspect in my opinion. Hayao Miyazaki did a very great job in bringing this anime into a masterpiece.

Story line was superb and funny, the animation, expression, comedy, characters, all are top notch. Small reminder this anime was released in 1979.

Even though the animation feels a bit choppy on some area but its still a very high quality. The comedy was very Ghibli style... wait did I say Ghibli? I mean Miyazaki's style (cause this movie was pre-Ghibli era).

Character design were simple but yet very appealing to watch, girls are cute but not sexy (as always in most Miyazaki's movie).

Bottomline... watch this movie, no matter what genre you like! This is a must have movie! Even though its almost 30 years old, but its still superb!

Overall Rating: A

[Music of the Week] Ievan Polkka Miku Hatsune

Music of the Week
Ievan Polkka Miku Hatsune

This is probably one of my all time favorite music, its so hipnotizing! @_@
If you already heard this music then enjoy =D
If you never heard of this music... then try to listen it 2-3 times... I bet you will love it to dead
uploaded on youtube by Yomibitoshirazu

anyway~~ Enjoy~~~

[Anime Review] Whisper of the Heart

Whisper of the Heart

"A fantastic anime that will make you smile for the entire movie" -bezoe

Mimi wo Sumaseba (Whisper of the Heart), which literally means If You Listen Closely, tells the story of Shizuku, a junior-high school student who is struggling to find out who she is. The movie takes you on a journey through her imagination and daily life as she makes decisions that will ultimately decide her future.

This anime is perfect for a people who enjoy an anime that fits into "slice of life" genre. The story is very light and enjoyable, plus the main character (Shizuku) was a very energic character so its really fun to watch her. Her determination was awesome, and probably even we can use it as a role in our life.

The animation and lighting plus character was very good- keep in mind this is a 1995 movie~. The songs was very catchy... well its also because its play tons of time during the movie (Country Road), but fortunately its good.
Too bad this is the first and last directing for late Yoshifumi Kondō. (if you want to find out more about him, use wiki) RIP Mr.Kondō.

Note : There was a small "easter egg" that connect this movie and The Cat Returns that I reviewed yesterday. If you watch both movie then I bet you know what I'm refering to.

Bottomline, watch it!, but beware for those you guys who only enjoy action based anime, you will find this anime very boring.


Overall Rating: A--