Naruto

• 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…)

• Anime, Game Music

  Meet The Devildom String Orchestra: Game And Anime Music From Weirdos In Masks

  April 16, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 6 Comments Share this Meet The Devildom String Orchestra: Game And Anime Music From Weirdos In Masks

  Alright, another video that I’ve been meaning to post about for months. I don’t even remember who told me about these guys at this point (Dale, perhaps?), but yeah, they basically perform classic game and anime music while wearing strange frog, rabbit, and scream masks. If it doesn’t make sense, just watch the above video and be amazed.

  This Chrono Trigger medley really hit the spot after listening to the beautiful arrangement of “Wind Scene” that was featured on the Chrono Trigger Orchestra Extra Soundtrack from last year (that’s how long I’ve been meaning to post about this). The “Magus Theme” segment is awesome too. If you browse around YouTube, TheScreamer has an impressive rendition of “Vampire Killer” from Castlevania and a “Theme of Love” duet from Final Fantasy IV. They also do Naruto and Princess Mononoke as well, so check ’em out!

  Is this the most bizarre idea ever? Are you happy that they’re doing it anyway? I know I am.

• Game Music

  Rock ‘n’ Roll In Western Games: Interview with Robert Anthony Navarro

  February 12, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this Rock ‘n’ Roll In Western Games: Interview with Robert Anthony Navarro

  

  I know there are a lot of gamers out there who like rock music. A lot of you even like rock music in your games! And while I’ve been wary in some ways of the many rock arrangement albums that the videogame industry has spawned over the years (Konami, The Black Mages, etc.), I did openly admit to loving Uematsu’s recent rock score for Lord of Vermilion.

  Now, you probably noticed that everything I mentioned above originated from Japan.  That’s because, for the most part (Frank Klepacki is an important exception), Western developers have focused on traditional orchestral scores for their games, but that may be about to change. We’ve been fortunate enough to sit down with Robert Anthony Navarro of RA AUDIO, INC., a talented composer and guitarist who recently collaborated with Inon Zur on various Naruto titles. He has seen first-hand what is on the mind of developers, and believes that original rock music (not the licensed stuff in sports games and Guitar Hero) is poised to break down the walls and finally earn its rightful place alongside orchestral music in Western videogames.

  There’s a lot of interesting discussion ahead, so go ahead and hit the jump. (more…)

• Anime, Japanese, Reviews

  Japan’s Fattest Band Rocks Naruto: devparade’s “Bacchikoi!!!” Single (Review)

  February 11, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 4 Comments Share this Japan’s Fattest Band Rocks Naruto: devparade’s “Bacchikoi!!!” Single (Review)

  

  I’m not kidding, these guys weigh a combined 1250lb. They didn’t allow any in the band who was under 220lb, and the result is both funny and awesome. The first Devparade press release I received from Sony Music was riddled with stories about how the band couldn’t fit into elevators and restaurants, etc. I guess I’m allowed to laugh at fat jokes since I’m not too far away from that 220lb figure!

  Anyway, while Devparade is just getting started, they’ve already had their second single, “Bacchikoi!!!,” featured as the closing theme for the eighth season of Naruto. Things are definitely looking up for the group. While the single itself is only available for import from Japan, both songs featured on the CD release will be hitting iTunes on February 17.

  If you’re thinking you may want to pick up the single or the iTunes tracks, feel free to check out our impressions after the jump. (more…)

• Game Music, Reviews

  Long Album Titles Strike Back: Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Limited Edition Soundtrack (Review)

  November 19, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 7 Comments Share this Long Album Titles Strike Back: Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Limited Edition Soundtrack (Review)

  

  What a surprise! Namco Bandai has been doing right by game music fans lately with the recent soundtrack disc included with the Tales of Vesperia Limited Edition and now the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Limited Edition on the PlayStation 3. This limited edition version not only comes with a soundtrack disc featuring 18 pieces of music from the game, but also a limited-print laser art cell and a Naruto trading card, all snuggled tightly in a collectible tin case.

  The game itself does prove to be fun as well as artistically beautiful, but I’m sure you want to know if the soundtrack album and other goodies are worth the additional $10. The album features about 40 minutes of rock music with Asian influences from composer Yasunori Ebina, who seems to be involved with the anime series as opposed to past Naruto games, and it actually makes for an interesting listen.

  Check out our impressions after the jump. (more…)

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