Waiting…waiting…This is one of those rare moments that I have ever waited for an animation soundtrack.  The song that strikes me is the haunting tune at the end of episode 2, supposedly sung by Mai Yamane, as whispered  in the anime community.

Darker than Black Gekiban finally debuted on the 25 Jul 06, done by the famous Yoko Kanno, who apparently did many other famous anime soundtracks  such as Cowboy Bebob, and Ghost in the Shell. I feel like a total noob for not having hear about her before!  

Track List  

1. GO Dark

2. HOWLING(TV size) by Abingdon Boys School

3. ハイヒールラナウェイ (High Heel Runaway)

4. Tenderly

5. シド (Shido / Visibility)

6. Was

7. Outside 

8. No Ones Home by 山根麻以 (Mai Yamane)

9. Guy

10. ScatCat by 山根麻以 (Mai Yamane)

11. ケイヤクシャ (Keiyakusha / Contractor)

12. Shadow

13. クロ (Kuro / Black)

14. Deadly Work lyrics by James Wendt

15. テンタイカンソク (Tentaikansoku / Astronomical Observation)

16. BlueCat

17. ツキアカリ (Tsukiakari / Moonlight) TV size ver. by Rie fu)

18. Water Forest

19. Blend in lyrics by James Wendt

20. インのピアノ (In no Piano/Yin’s Piano)    

  

If you are looking for something with more ‘voomph’ and ‘loud’, this may not be your cup of tea. The OST first start off with some acid jazzy sounds with a variation of mostly jazz and guitar instrumental hits that reflect the film noir feel of the 70s, despite the anime’s end-of-the world setting..  The resonance of the acoustic guitar play gives a really good sense of loss and sadness.  The haunting song turns out to be No One’s Home by Mai Yamane, a dark and depressing hit. Every time the song is played, that scene of death just keeps appearing in my mind. 

The rest of this soundtrack that are worth listening is Kuro (Black).  This sounds like the instrumental opening of the 1st episode where this young girl is looking up into the sky.  And there is Blend in Lyrics by James Wendt, I’m just wondeirng which episode did this song appear in.  Water forest gives you this weird feel of the another dimension with its augmented sounds in the opening.

Of course, one should never miss out  the opening and ending themes for the first part of

the show.  The 1st opening Howling by Abingdon Boys School just gives a loud roar to

this otherwise understated anime show, and with the crystal voice of Reifu with Tsuki

Akari  as ending, what else can we ask for more.  And it just happens the current 2 songs

have not been added here.  Who knows, maybe we’ll get to see another OST for Darker

than Black?

 Now, let us continue looking at falling stars again…….   

                One of my all-time favourites manhwa Shin Angyo Onshi  - a collaboration between 2 korean manhwakas – Youn In-Wan & Yang Kyung Il.

 Story : In an ancient kingdom of the Far East called Jushin, there were secret agents called Angyo Onshi, or Amen Osa, and with the power imbued in their Mahais, they were able to summon armies of soldiers to their aid.  But Jushin has fallen into ruin. And left only one man – Munsu, to bring justice to the country and to seek the very one man who destroyed everything….Will he be able to bring that man down? What are the chances of winning against a supernatural evil?

              At first glance, I was a bit  put off by the ‘not so handsome’ characters, since I’m rather used to looking at bishies.  However, after the 1st volume, the beautiful artwork just blows me away… I like how the artwork is drawn, it is very detailed…especially when it comes to  monsters & those magical creatures……sharing one of my favourite pictures from the series…either that, or the scanlations are just too well-done!

             The storyline generally talks about the world of good & evil, and how men succumbs to evil at one stage or another.  It is actually quite thought-provoking, especialy after I had read the so many volumes of it, and to me, everything is just a shade of grey.  There is no 100% right or wrong… sometimes i wonder, should they be blamed for joining the darkness.   Hmm….to know what is called the word ‘ good’, you actually need to know what is true evil…Even Munsu’s character at the beginning is dubious…I actually wonder what kind of hero is he when he resorts to dirty tricks.

              This manhwa is interesting as well, since the characters are loosely based on Korea’s folk tales, e.g. the Tale of Hong Gil Dong,  The Legend of Chun Hyang.  There is explanation of the actual fok tales after the end of each series.  Of course, besides the normal action, there is some bits of shoujo mixed in between…Yes, and that is part of the reason why I’m still following this series.

              SAO actually became so big in korea which resulted in it having OVA 2 hour movie  of its own in 2004.  The movie bascially shows the beginning of how Munsu met his sexy Sando, and their adventures in the beginning.

       After months of reading manga, I finally manage to read this highly recommended book Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

         A troubled love story about life, death, suicides and depression.  A story about a growing young man Toru and how his life change when his best friend died, changing both his life and the deceased’s girlfriend Naoko’s life as well.  And how Naoko who can’t cope with his death became depressed, ended in a mental sanatorium, which eventually led to her death.

          I totally adores the narrative manner that Murakami wrote this, in a simple way that clearly bring out the characters’ complicating thoughts and emotions.  It reflects the society’s looks on affairs and relationships quite well and it goes through the notions of how helpless one can feel when loved ones are suffering from depression. This is a book that can get you down..but  I think that’s one of the best reads  for me so far. …hmm…maybe i’m just a lover for depressing reads…

         Anyway, I’m currently reading another one by him called Dance Dance Dance slowly though.  

p.s. For purchases of this book, you can try Amazon .

Need I say more?

In bliss heaven…

A quiet read in pain, angst & sorrow. That’s what I’ve been doing for the last week. I came across Bokura Ga Ita. The cover is so misleading…I thought it might be something for young gals, with everything in chibi form (I’m actually avoid those if possible), but since I’m running out of shoujo fix, I just ended up with it.. 

Story : A romance about how Nana and Yano fell in love, but the course of true love never runs smooth.  But was it True Love at all?  A tragic event haunts Yano even when he dated Nana, and despite how Nana swears to be with him forever, she just can’t live with the thought that Yano is still in love or seems to be in love with his dead ex.  As the saying goes, ‘ No living soul can ever replace the memories of the dead’. Nana feels that she’s living in her shadow, while Yano fears that Nana will betray him one day? With another potential suitor as well, will Nana’s feelings be wavered? And With all the insecurities and distrust arising, how will the couple make it through in the end?

         The first thoughts that came to my mind is : Nana?! What? Another soapy tale with the same lead name as NANA? In Bokura Ga Ita, we have 2 Nanas as well – one dead, one alive… I can’t believe it…..does this has something to do with the name?     This reminds me of Parfait Tic, where some parts just make you want to cry, you just have this heartache kind of feelings when you read this.  The flow is so perfect that you’ll just get absorbed in the story.  But the Nana here, is not exactly that wishy washy as Fuuko (Parfait Tic)….  She seems to know what she wants….does she?!  I perfectly love how the story slowly develop from the day they fall in love, fight, and make up.  Everything is done in the slow romantic pace…and the best part is to read how the messed-up relationship seems to go beyond their school days into their working life.  Yes, we even have the chance to see them grown up!     The covers are gorgeous– dreamy space, romantic background, soft touches…all this brings out the mood of this beautiful angst story.  I recommend this to anyone, who finds Nana too heavy, but would like to try out shoujo of a more heart-wrenching style. As much as I like it, I just hope it’ll end really soon. Too much heart-breaking moments in this story  can be bad for a weak heart like mine.

The pictures in here are kawaii…..

The listed masterpieces include:

My monthly feed, which goes without saying NANA Chapter 65 is finally out!                       I’m going to get it & gobble it down! …. ….hmmm..this chapter is goes well with my chocolate at night…I’m glad that i’m not left pulling my hairs out at the end of it …

               Back in action after some time off in cyberspace. I’ve decided to actually put in a new Category on the right called WaTch ThIs SpAce. This will basically acts as a mini-rotation and updates of stuff which I thought is interesting. Shall experiment with that space to see how things go. If it goes well, it may end up permanently here.  

Till then..

      Sensei! is written by the same author of Koukou Debut.        This is a series that is 20 volumes long, which I came across in my regular manga rental store.  It is about how a high school girl, Hibiki fall for a teacher and how it became a tricky problem(s) as it is not allowed to do so,   and other side plots which include the love stories of her best friends  as well.  A rather straight-forward storyline, with more realistic themes.  Not your regular teacher x student fall in love & happy ever after kind of scenarios.

         I’m amazed at how this series can run into 20 volumes and even more amazed at how I much patience  I have to read through them, as the story seems quite predictable.  There were some silly moments, like miscommunication breakdown, confessions that gone haywire? But the couple to look out for is actually Chigusa and Nagisa.  I think the best romantic scenes in this series is actually by them.

          However, for those who read Koukou Debut and decide to read this…try not to expect too much.  No matter what, it is her first manga.  Hence, the artwork for this is pretty raw….really raw….the lines are not drawn properly and is kind of messy. Even have a bit of a hard time reading the facial expressions.  But the plot keeps it moving…..so I guess it’s not too bad.  For Kawahara’s early early work, I think is not a bad try.  The artwork kind of pick up after the 9th volume, which makes you see the angst, the happiness of the characters more easily.   I’m kind of worried about those fans who are hooked on Sensei!, as the scanlations are only up to around Vol. 4 (as of Jan 07) & there are 16 more volumes to go…knowing how tedious it takes to translate…I’m not sure how soon will the scans finish.  But one thing for sure, after so many years in the market, I’m sure Sensei! won’t be licensed anytime soon.

          Comparing Sensei! with Koukou Debut, I of course prefer the latter, which is funnier and more wacky, with some delicate moments.  Yoh in Koukou Debut, to me, is still one of the most memorable bishies so far? Don’t you all agree?   The many faces of Yoh dealing with Haruna..

(Nonsense text by me..)

  What Is THAT you are wearing?!!! I’m not going out with you like this…

 How can you be so superficial!I I don’t think that’s any of your business!!  Who do you think you are?!………………….   ooh…what’s that puppy look face on him? is he trying to apologise??!               

Ok, that’s all for now….What I’m hoping now is Koukou Debut won’t run into such a long series like Sensei!   I’ll be *old* when the books are all out….                              **************

Imagine my secret delight when I see her latest manga for sale!!

Sex=Love 2 is finaly out in this striking Yellow Cover! 

  Buying Shinjo Mayu’s works without thinking twice has become a normal reflex.  This series was first published in the monthly cheese! which mainly publishes slightly mature to smut shoujo series.  Most of Mayu Shinjo’s works is considered smut…and is not meant for 18 and below. Check out the red label sticker across (which says the same thing).

Story for Sex= Love 2

Kumiko, a super rich girl, wants to become a teacher against her dad’s wishes.  So she’ll do anything to prove that she can become a teacher.  So does it mean sacrificing herself in order to teach her sex-crazed student Ryu well? She may get what she wants if she don’t end up being a student of Ryu instead!

       Her other famous works include  Haou Airen,  Kaikan Phase (Sensual Phase)  , Love Celeb, Akuma Na Eros (Virgin Crisis).  Most of them are avaliable in Chinese under Jian Duan , or Chang Hong publishing. 

         There are also a number one-shots by Shinjo Mayu worth checking out too, especially Motto Oshiete, Poisonous Flower, Junai Strip.

         I have read all her previous works and I think that her works are seriously getting better and better! Especially with Love Celeb which is my fav with its good mix of humour, silliness and smut.

           Of course, another new manga that came out recently is Blaue Rosen – published in English and Chinese by Chuangyi and Chang Hong.

       This is a story where the main female lead looks like most of Shinjo Mayu’s male lead and vice versa. ( Note : Dark hair pic is the guy, and the blonde is actually the girl).  Confused? All the more you should check this out! It is about how the ‘Prince’ of the all-girl’s school and the ‘Princess’ of the all-boys school fell in love.  What will happen when these 2 young things fall in love?  There is no rating for this, meaning this volume for now, is definetely suitable for those under 18…

             Isn’t this a great start for 2007?!

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