Namie Amuro (安室 奈美恵)
The “queen of Jpop” is back with her latest release “Best Fiction“.
The album includes 15 tracks selected from singles released between 2002 and 2008. Including new tracks such as “Sexy Girl” which was featured in the NHK series “Otome No Punch”. And “Do Me More”.

Tracklist:
01. Do Me More
02. Wishing On The Same Star
03. shine more
04. Put ‘Em Up
05. SO CRAZY
06. ALARM
07. ALL FOR YOU
08. GIRL TALK
09. WANT ME, WANT ME
10. White Light
11. CAN’T SLEEP, CAN’T EAT, I’M SICK
12. Baby Don’t Cry
13. FUNKY TOWN
14. NEW LOOK
15. ROCK STEADY
16. WHAT A FEELING
17. Sexy Gir


To download this Please Click Here.
Thanks Sazabi for this! Be sure to thank him as well.

Mongol800 – Etc. Work is the latest album from this awesome J-rock, J-pop, J-punk band!
Mongol800 is very known in japan by its song “Chiisana Koi No Uta“. Which is personally one of my favorite songs of all  times. If you havent listened to it, YOU SHOULD.

Tracklist:
1. ラッキー8/ MONGOL800
2. 大迷惑/ MONGOL800
3. Beautiful/ BLACK BOTTOM BRASS BAND と MONGOL800
4. 輪 feat.キヨサク/ 山嵐
5. ナサキ feat.MONGOL800/ RYUKYUDISKO
6. Remember/ RIP SLYME with MONGOL800
7. ひとりじゃない with MONGOL800/ SOFFet
8. オーバーラップワルツ/ MONGOL800
9. Party/ Stinking Blue Beat feat. MONGOL800
10. さよなら/ MONGOL800
11. 二十九の春/ MONGOL800
12. 百々/ MONGOL800 with 古謝 美佐子
13. 安里屋ユンタク/ MONGOL800


You may download this cool album HERE.
Thanks to aqwsxz for this addition. As always I LOVE Mongol800! Everyone should listen to it!

Re-posted from when we lost all of our posts..enjoy!

Hey guys, it’s dj722.  Being that this is my first review, I thought that I’d introduce myself.  Like Akiko-chan, I’ll also be reviewing different kinds of anime.  I’ll also try to do some write-ups on specific episodes for the newer releases.  There’s a bunch out there, so if you there’s anything that you want us to cover or talk about, feel free to leave me or any of the other reviewers a message.  Let’s see, what else….. I have a lazy pug, a pretty sarcastic sense of humor, and have an addiction to working out at the gym….lol  Anyways, before I start to bore you, let’s get on with the show….

Title:  Vexille – 2077 Isolation of Japan
Directed by:  Fumihiko Sori (Appleseed Ex-Machina, Ping-Pong)
US Release Date:  2008; Funimation DVD

The Story
In an alternate 21st century, Japan advances in biotechnology and robotics; its benefits extending the lifespan of all humans. The United Nations deems the technology a dangerous threat, however, Japan refuses to abide by UN’s demands to halt research and cuts all communications with the outside world.  Ten years later, an American Special Forces unit by the name of SWORD is sent to uncover the current status of the isolated Japan.  Led by its female commander named Vexille they uncover shocking secrets about Japan and their technology.

What dj thinks:  Seriously, how many versions of Appleseed are they going to come out with?

I had some pretty high hopes with this movie when I saw the previews.  The film was written and directed by Fumihiko Sori, who was also involved with the production of “Appleseed Ex-Machina”.  First of all, if you’re into CG animation, Vexille definitely delivers some very impressive visuals.  Like Ex-Machina, a lot of attention was given to small little detail.  The textures, explosions, landscapes, etc were pretty sweet, and the action scenes were very smooth.  One of the most amazing scenes in the movie was during an encounter with these huge metallic worms.  The movement was incredibly intricate and fluid while the feeling of mass and weigh of the worms was portrayed well.  Kudos to the animators.

The storyline of the movie is pretty basic.  If you’re looking for a “thinking movie”, then this isn’t it.  Some of themes do touch upon humanity and morality, but this movie isn’t going to rack your brain like “Evangelion”.  However, although the theme was straightforward, the fact that the background story of the movie was a bit fragmented throughout the film hurt the development of some of the characters, and I would have liked to see a bit more of their past explained.

The action in Vexille were above average.  It wasn’t the “edge of your seat” intensity that was expecting, but it did keep me entertained.  However, I couldn’t help but feel that the movie was trying to be another Appleseed.  Seriously, all it needed was Briarios to come out with his massive sniper rifle and start blowing things away.  Even the battle suits had a familiar feel to it.  It just seemed to lack some originality to it.  Also, people have been saying that there worm scene was copied from the movie “Dune”.  Not a big deal to me, but the similarities are pretty uncanny if you’re a sci-fi nut.

All in all, it was an entertaining movie, but I wouldn’t rush out to buy the DVD right away.  It’s worth watching if you have time online or by DL it, and the visuals of the movie provide some nice things to look at.  So before I take off, here’s a little rating system that I’ll use in my reviews.  1 would be the lowest, 5 the highest.

Story: 3.5
Visuals/Animation: 4
Entertainment Value: 4
Characters: 3.5
Music: N/A
Overall: 3.8

Next up for review:  Soul Eater!

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well! I just thought I’d introduce you to a really great anime series! This was my first attempt at a review, but it was deleted when Kuro switched host, so bear with me. I am reviewing the first and second seasons of School Rumble at the same time because the second season is just a continuation of the first and the two merge together perfectly. Here goes:

The average, but clueless Tsukamoto Tenma likes the stoic and peculiar Karasuma Oji, but she can’t seem to get her feelings across. The delinquent Harima Kenji is head over heels for Tsukamoto, but can’t get his feelings across mostly due to misunderstandings (and the fact that Tenma loves Karasuma). Such a dilemma! The story mostly revolves around Harima Kenji and the relationships he forms with Tsukamoto’s friends and younger sister later on. There are a few side stories for minor characters that are quite enjoyable. There aren’t any giant robots or any magical aspects outside of fantasies and Yakumo’s (Tenma’s younger sister) ability to read the feelings of others. This anime gets its action from over the top situations, pop culture references, and some really fun word play!

The anime – based on Jin Kobayashi’s still ongoing manga – starts out as a typical high school anime, but quickly turns into a roller coaster of humor and romance. Refreshingly, it is not overly dramatic or difficult to follow. Even if you began watching from say, episode 12, you could easily understand what’s going on and enjoy the story. Though I would highly recommend starting from the beginning since a few inside jokes develop and makes the series more enjoyable along the way. Though the plot seems pretty flat and basic, it actually provides some sentimental moments that anyone can relate to. It also follows the manga fairly accurately.

What really makes this anime is its characters. The characters may seem flat when you first meet them, but they each have their quirks that make them loveable and unique. For instance, Harima Kenji, the delinquent, loves to draw manga (which adds a lot to the plot later on).  Even if you want to you can’t hate any of the characters. If they are not making you roll on the floor in hysterics, they are relatable.

Superficially, the character designs are pretty typical, yet smooth. The animation isn’t anything special, but it works for this type of story. The voice acting is fitting and wonderful. As far as music goes, it fits right in. The opening and ending animations/music are a lot of fun to watch!

Episodes are, for the most part, wonderfully paced. However, some episodes can be overly silly and boring by not adding to the plot or character/love development. This is a very rare occurrence though. A part of the third OVA was released earlier in the summer. If you can’t wait for the final installment, the manga version can provide you with a little relief… but only a little. The manga completed it’s run at 383 chapters.

I would recommend this anime to anyone who loves a little romance and a lot of comedy. Personally, I am really glad that I gave it a chance after being told about it by our very own Sazabi here on the forums! Have some fun and watch School Rumble and embark on a new school year and have a good laugh! It’ll remind you that anime isn’t always about magic and epic death scenes.

I’d give it a 9/10

Hey guys, this post got deleted when Kuro switched host, so if you missed it last time, here it is again! This is my review of Last Friends.

“I’m a prisoner of love, I’m a prisoner of love…”

The lyrics to Utada Hikaru’s “Prisoner of Love” stick with me even a month after completing this very disturbing, yet heart warming drama series. To say that it takes the viewer on a roller coaster ride is an understatement! What it really does is toss the viewer down the backside of a tremendous mountain just as the sun is setting. It’s terrifying and beautiful all at once. For me to say such a thing about a series I almost passed up, well, says a lot.

Last Friends focuses on a group of people and their seemingly normal lives. Aida Michiru (Nagasawa Masami), is a hairdresser with a cute and sweet as pie boyfriend, Oikawa Sosuke (Nishikido Ryo). After being asked by Sosuke to move in with him, Michiru accepts instantly. After a fated meeting with a junior high friend, Kishimoto Ruka (Ueno Juri) the two reminisce for a bit. Ruka tells Michiru of the share house she is living in with her friend Eri (Mizukawa Asami). The rent is cheap, and Ruka offers to let Michiru move in, but Michiru informs Ruka of her life with her boyfriend. They exchange numbers, and agree to meet up soon. The writers then proceed to punch the viewers in the face when Sosuke’s jealousy turns him from the kind Ryo of 1 Liter of Tears, to a psychopathic monster. Soon, Michiru ends up becoming close with Ruka, her friends Takeru (Eita), Eri, and “Ogurin” (Yamazaki Shigenori). The series then centers around the meaning of love and friendship in unexpected ways. Each character carries their own burdens and pain, and in a way they all become prisoners of love.

This drama brings to light some matters that many young people face today – the most notable problem being DV (domestic violence) relationships. It sends the message that real love isn’t based on jealousy and control, but meaningful bonds that better your life. Because of its slight focus on DV, there are some graphic and uncomfortable scenes.

Generally, I loved this series. It is certainly a tearjerker, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who doesn’t like a lot of drama. Though there are happy moments that make your heart feel warm and fuzzy, the majority of it is heart wrenching. The series starts out sickeningly average, and even a bit too cheery. I only got through the first twenty minutes of the first episode before turning it off. Then I went back to it when I was ready to give it my full attention. By the end of the first episode I wanted to kick myself for not getting into it sooner. The acting is well done, and I found Ruka to be one of my favorite characters. Then again, I felt an attachment to each of them, even the creepy Sosuke.

The ending is satisfying in that it doesn’t cater to the typical love story you may see in other dramas. The story revolved, and ended, around the central theme of finding love for yourself and keeping the bonds of friendship strong. There are not only one or two kinds of love. Sometimes there is a feeling that goes a bit deeper – that can’t be defined. A love that is free.

I would give this series an 8.8/10

Soul Eater(ソウルイーター) is personally one of the best anime’s I’ve seen this year. You should too!
And the OP of this awesome series is none other but the T.M.Revolution!
Yes, coming back to its solo career!
Thanks to Sazboy for this and much more.


To download this click heeeeere.

AnimeOP

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