For the Candles in the Darkness (Happy Birthday, Ply!)

It was in August when Plyasm gave me a cover request for "Binary Star" from Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu/Legend of the Galactic Heroes, but I only got around to it a few weeks ago. Figured there's no better time to post this than on his birthday! Thanks, Ply, for recommending a wonderful song, and another big …

Yomu & Moyatori Present: Yomutori Sentiment! — Umai Yomu Anime Blog

Yomu reached out to me for a vocal collab not too long ago - we covered "木枯らしセンティメント" (Kogarashi Sentiment). Coincidentally, I've been very in love with Chiwa Saito's voice recently, and have had "staple stable" and "Futakotome" on loop for most of the week. Hey, Senjougahara's not best girl to me (because Hanekawa is), but …

[Highlights] Piano no Mori 12 (End): That’s It?

I know, it's only the end of the season and not the entire series, but man, this has gotta be one of the weakest episodes in the anime. Not even that many screenshots this time. It's mostly Kai playing piano, and the animation, though without major blunders, is fairly lackluster. Be yourself, Kai, be yourself. …

[Highlights] Piano no Mori 10 + 11: New Characters

Cool new characters are introduced on after another, though most of them are surely going to be eliminated just as quickly. I enjoyed the tension of the last two episodes and was on the edge of my seat with Sophie's and Shuuhei's performances. It's a pity the piano pieces get cut way to short due …

[Highlights] Piano no Mori 07-09: People Grow Up!!

I'm super behind schedule on this. To be honest, I seriously considered dropping this series just because of how busy I've become, and because by episode 6, it no longer appealed to me as much as its opening episode did. Now that characters have grown up and are playing lots of Chopin... I'm happy about …

Colour-Coded Kalafina: Black

Welcome to Kalafina recommendations ver. Gothic/rock. Sorry it took me so long to get to this one! Also, for those of you who requested translyrics/lyrics analysis, I'll get to that eventually! Previous song recommendations: Colour-Coded Kalafina: Red Colour-Coded Kalafina: Blue Colour-Coded Kalafina: Yellow "Yami no Uta" (2010) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTHYww8oh_0 Colour justification: "Song of Darkness" needs no …

[Highlights] Piano no Mori 01 + 02: Chopin x Shounen

Just to clarify, "Chopin x shounen" does not indicate a ship. That'd be a bit creepy. Ep. 1 The episode starts with Kai as an adult at the International Chopin Competition. Then it goes back and introduces us to Kai and his new friend, the transfer student Shuuhei. Kai and Shuuhei make up the ultimate …

Colour-Coded Kalafina: Yellow

A list of songs that feel "yellow" to give you a dose of hope in life. The previous song recommendations: Colour-Coded Kalafina: Red Colour-Coded Kalafina: Blue Cream Yellow Light, gentle, bright. "Alleluia" (2013) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkmoOn1BZWY Associated work: Kara no Kyoukai/Garden of Sinners Colour justification: The tone, accompaniment, and everything feel very iyashikei. Highlight: [3:21-3:42] "こんな小さな君の手を取って/いたいほどかがやきがあって" (As I …

Colour-Coded Kalafina: Blue

A continuation of my Kalafina song recommendations. Read Colour-Coded Kalafina: Red here if you're interested. Lyrics are from canta-per-me.net with some translations modified by me. Sky Blue Light, soothing, angelic. "heavenly blue" (2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H-aIImBg9s Associated work: Aldnoah.Zero Colour justification: "何処までも眩しい heavenly blue" (dazzling wherever it reaches, heavenly blue), what other colour can it be? Highlight: [2:41-2:56/3:45] …

Colour-Coded Kalafina: Red

As I promised in my Tribute to Kalafina post, I'd be doing Kalafina song recommendations (5 posts, hopefully?). I've decided to categorize my recommendation posts based on colours. I know that Kalafina did already assign colours to certain songs in their The Best Red/Blue albums, but I don't agree with many of those colour assignments …