Bleach

• Anime, Japanese

  “Velonica” Decides To Die (Aqua Timez / Bleach Single Review)

  July 12, 2010 | Patrick Gann | Comments Off on “Velonica” Decides To Die (Aqua Timez / Bleach Single Review) Share this “Velonica” Decides To Die (Aqua Timez / Bleach Single Review)

  

  I cannot believe Bleach is still running as a TV anime series. Currently in its 15th season, this show is well on its way to trumping all of Dragon Ball (including the original, Z, and GT) in terms of number of episodes. The show actually runs multiple “seasons” per year. In its 10th season, the opening theme song was “Velonica” by the J-rock band Aqua Timez. Aqua Timez has recorded more than one piece for the Bleach franchise, but this piece has a strange and special history.

  Want to know about it? Take the jump to find out more! (more…)

• Anime, Japanese

  (SunSet) Swish! New Bleach Single Wins! (Sakurabito Single Review)

  June 5, 2010 | Patrick Gann | 2 Comments Share this (SunSet) Swish! New Bleach Single Wins! (Sakurabito Single Review)

  

  In attempting to almost systematically bury myself in opening and ending theme singles for the ever-popular TV anime Bleach, I’ve found myself swaying back and forth between enjoying and loathing the music. Rarely have I had a sense of apathy about what I’m hearing.

  One theme I heard, by veteran male-led J-pop/rock (soft rock) group SunSet Swish, really resonated with me. I wasn’t expecting it at all. The song, “Sakurabito,” roughly translates as “Sakura’s Man” … it’s difficult to say if Sakura refers to a lady or literally to cherry blossoms. In any case, it’s the show’s 21st ending theme (they often do two ending themes per season), covering specifically episodes 243 through 255. In other words, it’s a pretty recent single. The single itself was released in January 2010.

  For more details on Sakurabito and the B-Sides that appear on the single, be sure to follow the jump! (more…)

• Anime, Japanese

  Stereopony Rides out to New Jersey’s AnimeNEXT Convention

  April 17, 2010 | Chris Nguyen | 3 Comments Share this Stereopony Rides out to New Jersey’s AnimeNEXT Convention

  
  Darker than BLACK: Ryuusei no Gemini was a popular anime series revolving around humans who possessed special abilities caused by a field known as the “Hell’s Gate.” In addition to impressing audiences with its visuals, it also featured a very catchy opener titled “Tsukiakari no Michishirube” (“Guidepost of the Moonlight”) performed by the J-pop band stereopony who will make their first American convention appearance at the AnimeNEXT held from June 18 – 20 at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, New Jersey.

  As a note, this won’t be their first time in the United States, since they did perform at the South by Southwest 2009 (SXSW) media festival.

  Anime fans should be somewhat familiar with the group since they did perform the opening songs to Gundam 00’s second season with “Namida no Mukou.” They also sang the Bleach ending song titled “Hitohira no Hanabira.” Those hoping to learn more can access it through their MySpace page or their main site.

  Any of you out there going to AnimeNEXT just for the sole purpose of being able to see stereopony’s concert? Does anyone have thoughts about their music and whether those manage to fit in with the overall mood of the anime that they lead in or out of?

• Anime, Japanese

  Chatmonchy’s Tour Hits Four US Cities; Albums Released Digitally

  March 4, 2010 | Chris Nguyen | 5 Comments Share this Chatmonchy’s Tour Hits Four US Cities; Albums Released Digitally

  

  Chatmonchy is the name of the three-member all-female rock band that is well known among anime fans for their performance of the ending themes for the anime series Bleach with the song “Orange” and Hataraki Man with “Shangri-La.” And for those of you who enjoyed their works and live in North America, there’s an opportunity to see them live since they will be touring the United States.

  Their tour kicks off in the South by Southwest 2010 (SXSW) media festival held in Austin, Texas on March 19 before moving on to New York on the 21st, Los Angeles on the 24th, two shows in San Francisco on the 26th, and back to LA on the 27th.

  It will be interesting to see how popular their works prove to be with North American audiences since their Last Love Letter single released in February 2009 and their full-length album Kokuhaku both debuted on the Oricon charts in the top 10. As an added bonus, those hoping to give their a music a listen can hit up SonyMusic Independent Network because their Kokuhaku (Confession), Miminari (Ear Ringing), and Seimeiryoku (Life Force) albums are available digitally as of March 2.

  More information about the group as well as a list of their tour dates, locations, and concert venues can be found on their Myspace page.

  Any Chatmonchy fans here who will look forward to seeing Eriko, Akiko, and Kumiko live in person? And does anyone have any thoughts on their music or expectations as to the songs they’ll perform or ones that you hope they’ll play? Well, if you’re looking for a schedule and where to get their music, take a look after the jump for our latest update! (more…)

• Anime, Japanese, Reviews

  Ikimono-gakari’s Lost Single: Flowers Are Cherry Blossoms; You’re Beautiful (Review)

  May 18, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this Ikimono-gakari’s Lost Single: Flowers Are Cherry Blossoms; You’re Beautiful (Review)

  

  If you’re into Naruto or Bleach, you may be familiar with Ikimono-gakari. They’re your typical alternative rock act from Japan, but many of their singles have been featured in anime and even games, including the Naruto: Shippuden anime series and the Bleach: The 3rd Phantom DS game.

  Unfortunately nothing from their 8th single titled “Hana wa Sakura Kimi wa Utsukushi” (or “Flowers Are Cherry Blossoms; You’re Beautiful”) received this kind of attention, but for those who are curious, perhaps we’ll turn you on to something new from the group.

  Hit the jump for our brief review of the “Hana wa Sakura Kimi wa Utshukshi” single and a look at some of Ikimono-gakari’s other (and more nerdier) works. (more…)

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