Showing posts with label Japanese music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japanese music. Show all posts

November 22, 2016

We Are X - The History of X Japan

About two weeks ago, I was in Houston, TX to see We Are X, a documentary about X Japan. I was excited once we made it to our seats, but even more so when the lights finally went out. 


It started out at the very beginning with Yoshiki, the band's leader and drummer/pianist, when he was a child. He lost his father to suicide when he was ten years old. By the time he was in high school, he started X Japan with his best friend Toshi, the vocalist. It was the tragedy of Yoshiki's past that inspired the music and lyrics that have become the classics that many X fans know and love today as well as new music he composes, even though he has some problems with his hands. 


Before seeing We Are X, I had wondered why did the band break up when they were so successful? Why is Yoshiki still performing even though he has hand injuries? What's the truth about hide's death? What caused the reunion after so many years? 


When I heard about them in 2006, I looked everywhere for the answers, but only heard them from other fans, some of which made things up knowing new fans would believe anything. Ten years later, my questions were answered by the band in the 94 minutes I spent watching the film. One I had always known the answer to, another no one believed when I said what most likely happened and the others were only half true answers I got from other fans online Throughout the whole documentary, I felt so many things at after another and I loved every second of it.

I may be biased when I say everyone should see this documentary, but that's what I seriously feel. If you have any love for Japanese music, especially Visual Kei bands, you will most likely enjoy this.

Interested? Check out the trailer below or visit the official We Are X website for more info.




September 11, 2012

Top 5 most played J-Pop songs I've Heard in Japan


Hello! As you may know, I'm studying in Nagoya, Japan. It's a great experience, and despite the personal nature of my journal blog, I encourage you to read it!

Despite what you might think, Japan plays a lot of American music in public spaces. I've heard renditions of "And I will always love you," "Soul Sister," and of course "Baby" (Justin Beiber) over vairous loud speakers. But when the Japanese play their hits, they tend to favor a select few...


... So! I've been in Department stores, phone stores, dining halls, karaoke bars, and delicious restaurants. And I can say with great pride that I've discovered some of the most widely played musical tracks in Japan's public spaces. Of course these are simply the most recent songs, but they're quite catchy and I wanna share them with you!

Note: They are in the order of most frequently played (from my experience this past week). They are not in accordance with the Oricon charts.


March 19, 2012

Weekly Vocaran by the Month!

Just to keep you guys up to date with Vocaloid music being released recently, here's the weekly Vocaloid Ranking (VocaRan for short) for a couple weeks ago (#232, March 5th - 12th). Most of the songs tend to stay the same so it'd be a little repetitous to post every week on it. It's as reliable as your Oricon! Anyway enjoy!



Spoilers: Check out the original #2 for that week! 

-chansu

November 9, 2011

Hatsune Miku takes Game Industry by STORM!

Video post -- In Japan, Hatsune Miku has surely made a name for herself, and is getting major roles in console-based gaming. Prior to the recent Vocaloid boom in the gaming industry, Vocaloid was limited to the original software, fan-creations (the basis of musical production and PVs, etc), and the rhythm game for PSP -- Hatsune Miku: Project Diva that was followed by a "sequel" and two PS3 additions.

But outside of the genre of music, Hatsune Miku has been given a JRPG make-over for her Black Rock Shooter game, for PSP. The opening, "No Scared" by ONE OK ROCK is in full (yet, heavily accented) English, possibly a foretelling of an English adaptation for us in the US and beyond.


The other game featuring Hatsune Miku('s singing talent) is "7th Dragon 2020", a sequel to the somewhat obscure chibi JRPG game "7th Dragon" that came out for DS. Like the BRS game, 2020 is Japan-only at the moment, and also for PSP. Miku didn't have a role in the first game, but in this new sequel Miku sings the opening track and many other scores for the game. The music, beautifully crafted, as always, by sasakure.UK ("Shuumatsu ga yattekuru!", "Eternally fleeting burning bird", "Campanella", "Wanderlast") fits the futuristic RPG feel of the game, and has really upped the hype for the otherwise underrated series.


Some gameplay + more Miku music:


Like me you must be thinking "Why does Japan get all the good stuff?" I wish I knew myself, but I'd rather not have American adaptations/translations that make me want to bash my head into a wall either. We, as otaku need ported games with English text, yet retaining all the original Japanese qualities (VA skill, culture + traditions, etc) that make the games so well-received in the Far East. 

Let's all cross our fingers that these games get fair adaptations! Until then!

-chansu

July 20, 2011

【J-Music Remixes】 3 - Vocaloid Composers with Real Singers? {DECO*27}




Sometimes when checking out Vocaloid music, it's hard to imagine that the songs are made by master composers. Our loveable Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin/Len, Megurine Luka, and others work alongside skilled professionals that give them the ability to sing better than most "real" people.


But let's say you've thought that far ahead. You are a true otaku -- falling in love with the melodies and baselines of popular NND artists. At this point you must've realized, "Hey, these guys have some real talent! I wonder why they're off making independent works instead of, I don't know, being hired by the music, movie, and media industries!"


The man, himself, Hyadain!

Well your thoughts aren't as far-fetched as you'd believe. Well, as far-fetched. Check out Hyadain for instance -- at one minute he's making hilarious video game remixes and creating his own anthem for NND; and at the next he's producing one of One Piece's greatest openings, "Share the World" along with the opening music to the recent hit comedy "Nichijou"  [PV with Hyadain]! So of course there must be a happy median between being a professional and having fun.


In this segment of 【J-Music Remixes】, we'll be looking at a couple songs from DECO*27, who created hit Vocaloid songs as well as worked with other great singers!

(Click "Read more" to watch some epic J-pop videos by DECO*27!)

July 14, 2011

June 27, 2011

Vocaloid Track of the Whenever I Feel Like It {S2} 9 & 【J-Music Remixes】2




[Can it be... the legendary... tsundere Miku?!]


Hello once again followers and Vocaloid lovers alike! Today, something a little different planned. If you saw the last 【J-Music Remixes】 post you'll remember it was on "humanloids"! There was a very awesome Kugimiya Rie tsundere humanloid, but it was actually a cover for an already existing Hatsune Miku song! Surprise, surprise... that song is the feature of this post!

"World is Mine" is one of the flagship "singles" (if Miku even has singles) that has crossed borders and given Vocaloids a voice in many places outside Japan (as seen in the Toyota 2011 commercial!) The song is about a spoiled (and I use that term lightly) girl who wants her guy to treat her like a Princess... hence "the world is hers"! It's a really kawaii and rarely seen side of Miku -- that of the tsundere! It must be the power of hostility and affection that has made this song as popular as it is... once you hear it the song is very catchy as well! Without further ado...


Hatsune Miku - World Is Mine



"But where is the J-music Remix?" ... is what you may be asking. Well, "World is Mine" was so popular that the band Supercell (and big-time Vocaloid fans) made a sequel to "World is Mine"... Debateably not as good as the original but still a very good follow-up!

Supercell - I'll Teach you



I hope you enjoyed this segment crossover! Until next time!





-chansu

June 23, 2011

JPOP Video of the Day!

Life Goes On ~Side K~  By Chemistry

Chemistry is going to OTAKON in Baltimore
And we are too!


During a sad time, is telling you I’m “sad” being weak?
During a tough time, can I confide in you that it’s “tough”?
I’ve just got to believe.
Even if I have no place to go as darkness closes in
Now you’re at my side, so I won’t hesitate to step forward
The tears I’ve cried will surely become shining crystals
I’ll gently hold you, I’ll be with you. ×2
You taught me to be myself
So at anytime, I believe as I move forward
Life goes on.
I’m trying to figure out what’s there that I can do for you
It looks like there are plenty of things I’m bad at
I am to be with you.
I suddenly remember your words and nod my head
On a night when the stars are close enough to grab, we’ll pledge eternal love
The tears I’ve cried will surely become shining crystals
With a trembling heart, you’re by my side. ×2
Even if my voice won’t reach you and I feel like giving up
I’ll never let go of your hand as I move forward
Life goes on.
The wind never stops and pushes us forward from the back
Even when time flows, you’re my sweetheart. ×2
Across the twinkling stars we’ll make the future we dreamed of
So we’ll be together when the time comes
Life goes on.

June 12, 2011

J-Pop Video of the Day

Hey guys, this is usually RPGHero's segment but I felt like hijacking it for once (or twice). This song is for those who've grown up and left people and places behind in order to pursue their dreams.

"In a town far, far away
I'm doing fine
What's important is
both 'changing' and
'staying the same.' "

Tooku Tooku (Far Far Away) by Makihara Noriyuki





» Click for English Lyrics «



-chansu

May 16, 2011

Vocaloid Track of the Whenever I Feel Like It {S2} 8

Hello bloggers, it has surely been a while since the last Vocaloid Song on this blog! I know you've missed this segment as much as I have!!   ;A;

This installmant focuses on unique animation for Miku PVs! No 3D PV or picture slideshows here!

Without further ado, enjoy it as much as the coming of Summer!






Hatsune Miku - ARiA






Hatsune Miku - Vanished the Life -Not Re:born





-chansu

April 17, 2011

JPOP Video of the Night!

Familia by D-51
"Family, those who fill up my mobile phone inbox
Family, those who quarreled and left me, but still come back later"




»English Lyrics«

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Welcome to
The Otaku Reviewers



This blog, "The Otaku Reviewers", was started in February of 2010 on this very same platform, Blogger. At first, it was a venture into the informational and informal world of comics, anime, video games, and Japanese culture. In other words, just a random blog.

Over time, the founder of the blog credited with the pseudonym "RPGhero" was joined by two fellow bloggers and friends with the names "Chansu" and "Deretsun". Together the three bloggers looked up interesting Japanese culture facts, recommended new anime, talked about their own "otaku" interests, and traveled across the United States to various anime conventions.

There have been off periods when the blog ceased production of content and there have been times when there would be dozens of blog posts per week. The schedule varies depending on the lives of the people behind the alias'. However the pattern is that we always get back into the game with even newer information about Japanese culture, anime, video games, and other nerdy hobbies.

The motto of our blog is:
"A cure for your apathy and an inspiration for your dreams. ...Applies to Otaku, anime fans, J-pop junkies, and the like"

The purpose is to blog about cool stuff related solely to anime and otaku stuff. There's no other reason we're doing this.

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