:::The Fuko Trance:::

Hi everyone! I welcome you to one of the funniest moments in Clannad--The Fuko Trance! :D

What is the Fuko Trance exactly?

So there's this character in Clannad named Fuko, you see, and when she sees something extremely cute she goes into this trance, and--and... oh just watch it =P:



This is one of the most memorable comedy moments in all the anime I've seen--hopefully you'll see this in context when you watch Clannad (MY FAVORITE ANIME!).

Chansu and I have claimed this to be called "The Fuko Trance" and you'll probably hear me talk about it in future posts.

So that's just another tidbit to add to your otaku knowledge!

Ja~ne! =P,
:::Deretsun:::

Spontaneous Otakulture 3 - Nico Nico Douga (Smiley Videos)

Alright guys, time for a quick review. So we've looked at vocaloids and Touhou right? They're both some pretty radical creations, but despite their awesome, in this world things can't just be popular outta nowhere. People have to you know, see and admire things for them to gain fame!

Thus bringing us to today's topic.

Otakulture 3 - Nico Nico Douga

The otaku's YouTube, Nico Nico Douga literally means "Smiley videos," "nico nico" being an onomatopoeia for ... smiling. So yeah, the vids are supposed to be funny then? Well it depends.

If you're truly an otaku, then you've seen nico nico videos. Pretty much all videos involving Touhou, MAD, Vocaloids, MMD, and those weird Super Mario levels where they go in tune of the music... those are all from nico nico douga.

Yes, in fact, those types of videos define the place! Videos where sound effects are pitch-altered to sound like a famous song (see Ronald McDonald Insanity), videos with stunning illustrations or 3dCG effects set to Vocaloid music (see Chain Girl or Just Be Friends), intense mash-ups of hundreds of anime in a single video and videos with 3D girls dancing (See... what I'll post in a second) are all part of the nico nico subculture.

Youtube should learn a thing or two from NND. First of all, NND doesn't go and play the Copyright Infringement card on every little thing. But that is also because the users put up tons and tons of original content a day. Secondly, NND allows people's comments to scroll across the screen. Unlike the horrible "annotations" addition to Youtube, the scrolling comments let you know what people found to be the most funny or influential. And like annotations it can be shut off so don't get scared.

I bet you're just pining to get started on that NND aren't you? Well it's only in Japanese so I guess you better start studying your Kanji. Oooor if you're somewhat bilingual in a certain romance language, Spanish can be an option for you to break into the NND world. But because the YouTube community loves ripping stuff off of NND and throwing it onto YouTube, you really shouldn't worry about your Otakulture fix. Sure it may be hand-me-down videos, but you'll manage.

Now, for some examples!

The All-time most famous video from NND:
Kumikyoku Nico Nico Douga!


Now the Super Mario Version!


"I can't defeat Airman!" Megaman video!


Touhou's "Bad Apple!!" CG Megamix!


"Just Be Friends" by the Nico Nico Chorus!


MMD [Miku Miku Dance] 3D Dance
"Clover Club"!


And Last But Not Least...


Nanairo Nico Nico Douga (Rainbow Nico Nico Douga)!!!






Hey guys that's all for now. I can't give away all of the greatest videos of all time. You'll just have to sit back and wait for more, or do some exploring of your own! Go to Nico Nico Douga and check some stuff out!




OH AND BTW.

I did not create or upload these videos or anything in them. I don't own ANY OF IT. Don't kill me, copyright people. Too young to die.


Here ends the third edition of Spontaneous Otakulture. Hopefully you learned something new, or were able to relate with a smile. Keep walking the path of the otaku, and the rewards will be plentiful. Probably.

-chansu

Spontaneous Otakulture 1 - Hatsune Miku & Vocaloid

As of late I have been watching much less anime. Though it's because I'm always busy with college, as an otaku that can be very unforgivable. But if we take a step back and examine Otaku culture (henceforth referred to as "otakulture"), we can note that there is much more to the lifestyle of an otaku than just anime. Sure, you've had to at least heard of Naruto and One Piece, seen a full series in Japanese, and maybe ventured to an anime con to even think "otaku", but there's much more to otakulture than meets the untrained eye.

And for that reason, I will use this ongoing section to tell ya'll about what bits of prominent otakulture I have discovered and fallen in love with. For all you wakai kenshitachi (young swordsmen) out there, this will give you new insight on what the world of otaku has to provide for you.

Otakulture 1 - Hatsune Miku & Vocaloid

You may have, during a late night on YouTube, (or if you're actually on top of things, Niconico Douga) discovered a stunning green-hair, leek carrying, singing goddess with a somewhat synthetic voice. Well, that about sums up Hatsune Miku, Vocaloid's first and most popular voice.

Vocaloid is a program developed my Yamaha that enables any freelance composer to create vocalized music without a real singer. The voice is instead precatalouged, so that the composer can type in the lyrics (with the proper pitch) and make a vocal track. Imagine a future of songs sung by Miku, the persona given to the voice - a stunning anime girl.



"Nonsense da!", you may be thinking. "How can people get into music without a real singer?" Well, they have. There are countless songs "by" Miku, many of which are purchasable on iTunes and featured on YouTube and NND. Who needs the ditsy celebrities, coked up slutty pop singers, and over-hyped hip-hop sensations? If this catches on to the United States, a new revolution in the music game could show itself. Of course this will never happen though. I can dream though... I can dream.

Hatsune Miku has siblings too! Well, more like rivals and friends in the form of other characters for the next generations of Vocaloids. Twins Kagamine Rin and Ren, once-backup-singers-for-Miku Kasane Teto and Akita Neru, Gackt-inspired Kamui Gakupo, the mysterious Megurine Luka, and many others have risen to popularity. Their personalities are incredibly entertaining, and are probably their most crucial selling point. Who would like to hear a robotic voice belt out songs no one knows? Wait, let me rephrase that. Who would like to hear the cute trio of Miku, Teto, and Neru sing "Triple Baka" while entertaining you with their hilarious antics? ... I thought so.

Vocaloid isn't for everyone. But most otaku (like myself) have come to love the distinct voices and personalities of the Vocaloids. And to top it off, the composers are (usually.) extremely talented. I would be surprised if these guys were really amateur musicians; their tracks sound like they'll be in the next hit anime. So if you're a budding J-pop composer, I would highly recommend Vocaloid software.

Here ends the first edition of Spontaneous Otakulture. Hopefully you learned something new, or were able to relate with a smile. Keep walking the path of the otaku, and the rewards will be plentiful. Probably.

-chansu