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苺ましまろ (Ichigo Marshmallow) Chara-CD 1 Chika
I had put this CD on the chopping block for upcoming series, but thank goodness I didn't as Chika's theme has become one of my favorite songs. Saeko sings the song extremely well and the song seems to be tailored to her particular singing voice. Lyrics don't really match the character, but I like the story it tells regardless. The various interjections are a nice touch. The dramas on the CD are hilarious, especially Ana's track. Hitomi Nabatame, who plays Nobue, really surprised me with her voice. I'm used to her speaking as high-pitched Yuuna from Maburaho. In this series, she plays the mature Nobue, so her voice is really low (probably her regular voice). It was the only voice that I couldn't recognize. Fumiko Orikasa's voice also threw me off for a bit. I could pick up Mamiko, Ayako, and Saeko's voices pretty quickly. Bonus comes with a box for all 4 character CDs. 1. オープニングトーク (Opening Talk): Miu tries to energize the audience by introducing the contents of the CD, but the other girls sound very unmotivated. 2. 千佳への１０の質問 (10 Questions for Chika): Miu interviews Chika but answers some of the questions herself, including what Chika thinks of Miu. 4. お悩み相談 (Advice): Matsuri reads a letter from a guy who doesn't have any money. At first, they think that it's Matsuri who doesn't have money and blame it on Miu. Later, each girl gives some advice with Miu saying that he can get other people to buy things, just like how she does with Matsuri. 5. ミニドラマ「作戦会議」 (Mini-Drama "Tactical Meeting"): The girls, lead by Miu, try to figure out what color ranger each of the girls should be. Discussion arises when Miu tries to assign Chika yellow based on her favorite food. 6. おまけコーナー「アナの英会話」 (Bonus Corner "Ana's English Conversation"): Ana tries to teach the girls how to say "I Like You" but she teaches them to pronounce it in romanji, イ・リケ・ヨウ! |
Title: 苺ましまろ (Ichigo Marshmallow) Chara-CD 1 Chika |
AIR Vol. 1 LE
It's finally here! The story is heavily edited and compressed, which may be a downside if I didn't know the story inside-out already. It seemed as though in the first episode, they had to give a cameo for everyone who's involved in the story (at least the present-day part). But that gives a ton of foreshadowing, for example the crow appears even before the intro song starts in episode 1, a treat for those who already played the game. The visuals are fantastic, I particularly like the cloud scenes. The soundtrack is excellent, but that's because all the music is from the game. I think Kawakami Tomoko's voice has changed a bit since the game. Misuzu sounds just a tad different. The bonus commentary has the series director, and the directors for the first two episodes giving their thoughts and opinions. Limited edition comes in a digipack to match the Prelude disc. It also comes with a special poem postcard as well as a proof of purchase to redeem for goodies if you get all 6 LEs. 1. かぜ〜breeze〜
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Title: AIR Vol. 1 LE
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アカネマニアックス (Akane Maniax) Vol. 2
Mitsuki, Haruka, and Takayuki have a cameo in here, although they're not really mentioned by name. Gouta is a rather interesting character with a wild imagination. The story is sweet, although a little cheesy. You also have to know the stories of Muvluv and Kiminozo to fully appreciate the motivation for each character. The bonus concert DVD is a real treat. It's a compliation of several concerts/events from last year to promote Akane Maniax (held in Tokyo, Sapporo, Nagoya, and Fukuoka from mid-September to mid-October). The footage is mostly from the Tokyo concert though, I believe. Minami looks like she hasn't slept for days, but her singing voice is as good as ever. I'm really surprised at Kaori's performance. She didn't look too comfortable on stage, but her voice was almost perfect. She also looked a little taller than I expected, but then I realized she's wearing platforms. It's also got a good selection of my favorite Kiminozo songs including the intro to Radio Sky Temple and the old Kiminozo Radio intro song. The DVD comes with the concert DVD, another Akane mini-figurine, reversible cover, picture label, Rumbling Angel card, and a proof of purchase for the mail-in offer at the end of the third disc. 2. 剛田城二入部せよ (Zyouji Gouta, Join the Club!) |
Title: アカネマニアックス (Akane Maniax) Vol. 2 |
CooRie: 木漏れ日カレンダー (Komorebi Calendar)
The song that I was really looking forward to on this CD was rino's version of the intro to Sakura Setsugekka, originally sung by Yui Horie. She does a wonderful job of singing it, much better than I imagined. I'm still biased towards Ho-chan though, but that's because I'm a bigger fan of hers. The other song I wanted to listen to was the remixed version of the ending to Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. The voice is the same as the original version, but the more piano-esque version on this CD doesn't improve on the song. There are many songs from Da Capo, as well as other games, that were written by CooRie that she performs. CooRie's melodies still have that magical quality about them that I love. |
Title: CooRie: 木漏れ日カレンダー (Komorebi Calendar) |
少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine), '05 Vol 18
The feature this week is a showcase of the 16 finalists chosen for Miss Magazine 2005. Their ages range from 17 to 20. They also seem to be getting younger and younger. There's also a one-shot documentary manga about a real-life rescue after the recent Niigata earthquake. Negima: ９０時間目 帳尻合わせ？の中夜祭 (A Midnight Festival to "Reconcile?"): As the first day of the festival draws to a close, a few students including Ayaka and Chisame come up to Negi and mention things that Negi doesn't remember saying or doing. With this, he knows that he has to go back in time again and brings along Kotaro (with Kamo). He helps out Yuuna and Misa at the haunted house event and then accompanies Ayaka. He later falls asleep on Ayaka's lap, much to her delight and later catch Chisame by surprise. Suzuka: ＃５５応援 (Support): After finding out that Suzuka dislikes Yamato because he said he broke up with Honoka because it was bothersome, she goes to Yamato herself to find out what's actually going on. Yamato explains that he had to say something and couldn't tell the truth -- that they broke up because of Suzuka. Miki understands and promises to keep it a secret. She later invites him to dinner and gives him some encouragement when he starts wonder why he joined the track team as Suzuka hates him now. Tsubasa: ７３二人の力 (The Power of Two): Everyone's flying the race. Sakura has some trouble, but manages to control her craft. Toto: １６指輪の男 (The Guy with the Ring): Snake Ring Chopin, the guy who appeared earlier, comes again, but this time he's after Toto. He manages to trap Kakashi in a hallucination where he meets the leader of the Man Chicken gang again when in reality, he's been petrified. In his dream, Toto the dog manages to save him and allow him to break free from his stone casing. Hamanaka Ai: ０７９中村的行楽 (Nakamura-style Holiday): Nakamura manages to borrow Seiji's (one of Masahiko's teachers) car for a trip. The drive to the ocean and while Ai, Rinko, and Misaki are outside enjoying the view, Nakamura and Masahiko realize they're out of gas. Think that shaking the car will help, she has Masahiko do the work while she shouts out comments that can be mistaken for some other activity. School Council: ＃１７王の証 (Proof of a King): With his speed, Musashi defeats Valkyrie forcing it to retreat back behind the gates. He and Mami soon pass out of exhaustion. As he recuperates in his room, Akane finds that Touko and Hitsuji, fellow female members of the student council, have secretly crawled into his bed. King's Sword: ３０孫堅孤立 (An Isolated Sonken): Sonken, who's fighting in front, finds out that he's going to be outnumbered. He has a messenger go back for help. Ryubi comes with reinforcement. Changing Now: ＃４５再戦！！ 激斗の砂場 (Rematch!! Fighting in the Sandbox): While Fujioka (Dog Fighter) is sleep, his baby plays in the sandbox. Two punk toddlers come up to him, but he's teams up with another child playing there and beats the kid baddies. |
Title: 少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine) Vol. 18 |
少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine), '05 Vol 19
Interesting, Tsubasa has two covers in a row. There's also a bonus Tsubasa short chapter as well as a double dose of Hamanaka Ai to commemorate the 3rd volume. The AMR manga has interviews with the Tsubasa cast. Rina Satou, the voice of Negi, has a lengthy interview in this volume too. Next week will feature Yuuko Ogura (Yuuko-rin!) cosplaying as Suzuka! Tsubasa: ７４君の強さ (Your Strength): Kuro thinks that if they want Sakura's feather, they can just take it. But Tomoyo says that the one on display is a replica as the real one is safely stored away. The race finishes and as Sakura is vying for the last spot to advance into the finals, fumes start obstructing her view. She finishes the race at #20, just good enough to advance. Tomoyo asks for some investigation into the smoke, especially the sparking that seemed to help Sakura to the goal line. Suzuka: ＃５６後悔 (Regret): Yamato hasn't been able to concentrate at practice and continually drops the baton. After practice, Miki offers to practice with him, yet he still is bothered by Suzuka. Miki makes him realize that he still regrets not telling the truth about his breakup and wants him to mend his relationship with Suzuka. Hamanaka Ai: ０８０子供と大人の間 (Betweeen Kids and Adults): Masahiko is now a third year. As he walks back from school, it starts raining and Ai offers him her umbrella. When he goes home, he tells his mom that Ai let him go in (in under the umbrella) and she became wet. Mother brings a pair of female underwear. Hamanaka Ai: ０８１天野vs若田部最終戦 (The Last Battle Between Amano and Wakatabe): The class needs to choose a class leader and Ayana declares her candidacy. Rinko then nominates Misaki. Last year, Misaki lost the spot to Ayana. This year though, there isn't a test to have a showdown. Later, Ayana gets the allergies and tries to get some tissues from Misaki. She accidentally touches her chest and mistakenly calls her Masahiko. Ayana then withdraws from the race giving the spot to Misaki. Negima: ９１時間目 コスプレの極意、教えマス♡ (I'll Tell You the Cosplay Secret): In private, Negi tells Chisame that he knows of her little web site and actually reads her blog every day. Negima, Kotaro, Ayaka, and soon Makie find out about the cosplay contest, and the two girls join. Chisame, not being satisfied, gives Ayaka and Makie a better outfit. Meanwhile, she tells Negi that she won't cosplay. However, she gets called and panics. On stage, she starts crying because she can't get herself to play her other self. Yet, this wins over the audience. After winning the even, she tells Negi not to leak out her secret to the other classmates. Toto: １７指輪の男２ (The Guy with the Ring, Part 2): Chopin starts unleashing his powers, one of which includes petrifying the forest they're currently passing over. This causes the stones to start tumbling, potentially hitting the train. Kakashi tells Dorthy and everyone else to go to the locomotive section and speed on ahead. However, the others stay and help fight. Toto swallows a turret on the train and then regurgitates it to shoot Chopin. Apparently, that's one of its powers. King's Sword: ３１袁紹の裏切り (Ensho's Betrayal): The group approaches the city Totaku is supposed to be. After a bloody battle, the find out that Totaku has escaped. Ensho decides that they've already won, so he calls for his troops to retreat while the others press ahead. Totaku, from afar, orders that they burn down the city where Ryubi, et al. are. Student Council: ＃１８少女の傷 (The Girl's Wounds): Musashi wakes up and finds Kaoru and Nagare who guess correctly that he's been worried about Mami. They bring him to her house and he sees her in bandages. Then Amata, the person on the Student Council who still hates Musashi, shows up and challeges him. Amata reveals that he is actually a she and that she loves Mami. Changing Now: ＃４７新作！！ 春のモード大作戦 (New Item!! The Big Plan for Spring Mode): The general tries on new arms after losing his to Machina. |
Title: 少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine) Vol. 19
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