Featured Song: EvolutionWell, I've gone ahead and gotten up to date with this show over the last few days, and I must say, that the story's gone places I didn't think it would go, and has managed to surprise me a little here and there a little. ..Yeah, it's too bad that it's still being animated by tired, underfed Koreans (moreso than other anime, anyway). But that doesn't change the fact that I'm really looking forward to seeing the final episode, but before I blog about that or the music that's come out of this show, I think the least I can do is run through the eps so far... or at least the ones after 5 I didn't cover..
Episode 6: Dark Rei kita!
Episode 7: Why? Why is it always cars?! (good ep, otherwise)
Episode 8: ...wtf is
this shit..?
Episode 9: incest GET!
Episode 10: Saya <3 Old lady <3<3 This episode <3<3<3
Episode 11: Oh...Oh SHI-
Episode 12: Haruka-chan!!
But anyway, onto this post's topic.
I think it was the music that orginally drew me to this show. No, not the BGM for once, which in this show is mediocre at best (though I do thing Track 9 of the OST,
Lemon Angel's, isn't half bad), but perhaps the best part of the OST is that it includes all of the insert songs (save the ones the girls sing) and all of the different mixes of the opening song,
Angel Addict. Though I think technically, Fuyumi's version is the best (she really has the strongest voice, IMHO), personally my favorite version is the Tomo+Yui version. Though it might just be for sentimental value alone.
Other good things on the OST are the piano version of
Evolution from the first episode, and full versions of the insert songs sung by Himura's band and Erika's brother's band (which was a throw back to me for when I was a fan of bands like
Arashi or
w~inds).
Speaking of Evolution, however, I think that was one of the main songs that drew me to this anime. It was a frustrating to have to wait for it for so long, I have to admit, and after it wasn't released with the OST I thought perhaps it would never come out. Oh, and not to say that the girls' individual singles weren't pretty good either, but this single was definitely worth waiting for -- for Evolution and its c/w song Never Give Up. But don't take my word for it, give it a listen. And here's some lyrics while you're at it.
Evolution
(Japanese Version)
Ｔｒｕｓｔ ｍｅ 青空に飛び立つ瞬間には
Ｒｅａｄｙ ｆｏｒ ｙｏｕｒ ｆｌｉｇｈｔ キミは誰の
顔を思い出すの？
さみしさに埋もれながら 叫び続けた
昨日にはもう戻りたくないよ
※Ｙｏｕ’ｖｅ ｇｏｔ ａ Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ
今はまだ小さな声だとしても
もうすぐ出逢うよ 誰かキミを待ってる
Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ 奇跡は１人じゃ創れないよ
今の自分から進化する 未来がＲｅａｌ
Ｂｅｌｉｅｖｅ ｍｅ 泣き顔をすぐに笑顔に変え
Ｗａｉｔｉｎｇ ｆｏｒ ｙｏｕｒ ｄｒｅａｍ キミの色に今日を染めていいよ
過去にしがみつくのは 簡単だけど
これ以上ごまかさないでほしいの
Ｙｏｕ’ｖｅ ｇｏｔ ａ Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ
動き出す気持ちを止めないでいてね
いつかは近づく キミが願った夢に
Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ 気付いた今が始まりのｃｈａｎｃｅ
強い想いから進化する 未来がＲｅａｌ
いつもブレーキ かける
恐がりな自分自身 解放して行こう
ｃａｒｒｙ ｏｎ．．．
※ Ｒｅｐｅａｔ
Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ
動き出す気持ちを止めないでいてね
いつかは近づく キミが願った夢に
Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ 気付いた今が始まりのｃｈａｎｃｅ
強い想いから進化する 未来がＲｅａｌ
|
Evolution
(Romaji Version)
Trust me aozora ni tobidatsu shunkan ni wa
Ready for your flight kimi wa dare no
kao wo omoidasu no?
samishisa ni umore nagara sakebi tsudzuketa
kinou ni wa mou modoritakunai yo
※You've got a Evolution
ima wa mada shiisana koe da to shitemo
mou sugu deau yo dareka ga kimi wo matteru
Evolution kiseki wa hitori ja tsukurenai yo
ima no jibun kara shinka suru mirai ga REAL
Believe me nakigao wo sugu ni egao ni kae
Waiting for your dream kimi no iro ni kyou wo somete ii yo
kako ni shigamitsuku no wa kantan dakedo
kore ijou gomakasanaide hoshii no
You've got a Evolution
ugokidasu kimochi wo tomenaide ite ne
itsuka wa chikadzuku kimi ga negatta yume ni
Evolution kizuita ima ga hajimari no chance
tsuyoi omoi kara shinka suru mirai ga REAL
itsumo BUREEKI kakeru
kowagari na jibun jishin toki hanashite ikou
carry on...
※Repeat
Evolution
ugokidasu kimochi wo tomenaide ite ne
itsuka wa chikadzuku kimi ga negatta yume ni
Evolution kizuita ima ga hajimari no chance
tsuyoi omoi kara shinka suru mirai ga REAL
|
Evolution(English version)
Trust me, during thing time that you begin to take off
towards the clear blue sky
As you ready for your flight whose face do you begin to remember?
You've over come the times that you were buried in your own loneliness
And now you don't want to return to yesterday
※You've got an Evolution
And even though you call out with a so small a voice
you'll soon meet the person who's been waiting for you
Evolution you can't build a miracle alone
So evolve from the person you are now -- the future is real
Believe me that crying face of yours will soon turn into a smiling one
As you're waiting for your dream fill the day with your glow
It may be easy to dwell on the past
Don't let it misguide you anymore
You've got an Evolution
Never let these surging emotions stop
And someday you'll get closer to that dream you've been longing for
Evolution You've finally realized this new chance
So with these strong thoughts evolve yourself -- the future is real
You've always had your foot on the break
But don't be afraid, have faith in yourself, and set yourself free
carry on...
※ Repeat
Evolution
Never let these surging emotions stop
And someday you'll get closer to that dream you've been longing for
Evolution You've finally realized this new chance
So with these strong thoughts evolve yourself -- the future is real
Labels: Lemon Angel Project, Music
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Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Lemon Angel Project ep. 5
Erika's annoying.
But with that out the way, I think it's probably because of episodes like this that I'm a little bothered by how the opening of this show is pretty much one big spoiler. By already knowing the final cut for the group, you're left to basically count down the episodes for how long characters like Haruka would be around.
..And of course there was the fact that she was pretty much a horrible person that got along with no one.
And no episode showed that to us as much as this one. Well.. maybe the last one was pretty bad, too. ..And the one before that (though during that time she was rather overshadowed by Saya's bitchyness). But in this episode, she employs the help of her submissive lackey, Yukino. ....I mean Fuyumi (same thing, really). And attempts to sabotage Tomo and friends by various means. Or rather, Saya and co., seeing as Haruka has a fierce rivalry with her. However, when Haruka suggests that Fuyumi poison her donuts and give them to the girls, this all turns out to be a little much for even her, who values donuts as if they were currency.
However, despite Haruka's most obvious disapproval, Fuyumi still manages to become friends with Tomo and co.
It turns out that the two girls are actually childhood friends, that both have been performing and have had an eye on stardom since they made a promise with each other long ago. We get the feeling her that somewhere along the line, a rift formed between the two girls' personalities and reasons for why like being on stage. In Fuyumi, we see that she generally enjoyed performing, no matter what the case. However this wasn't enough for Haruka, who we see embarrsessed and disappointed at being a tree in a school play. Later, in one of Fuyumi's photos, we see that Haruka was made a princess for one of their troupe's plays while Fuyumi supporting her in the background. Most likely a clue to why Haruka is so competitive in this competition, such as why she might do such condemnable acts. And of course, why she's willing to try and force herself above everyone else so fervently. Later in the episode, when she does just that, she's cut down to size by a prominent dance instructor, and fnds out that working with a group isn't exactly what she'd thought it to be.
In all honesty, I'm glad Haruka's story ended the way it did. She was a pretty one-dimensional character overall -- mean for the sake of being mean, for the most part. However, if she didn't herself quit the competition and instead was faced with the rejection of not being picked, she probably wouldn't have gotten the oppertunity to grow, both within herself and onto the audience. In the end, she's still a bitch, but we know deep down she's a good person rooting her her friend. ..Maybe.
I look forward to perhaps seeing her make a cameo at the end of this series, cheering Fuyumi on from the audience at one of Lemon Angel's concerts.
Labels: Lemon Angel Project
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Saturday, January 07, 2006
Lemon Angel Project ep. 1
Even though this show is blatantly being used to debut/promote the popularity of some Japanese idol... I think I liked it.
There were some problems here and there, concerning things like acting, and the fact that I had some trouble telling some characters apart at first, it overall was a pretty good first episode, especially considering the music and the qualit of the animation at some points.
The lead character, Tomo, has quite an interesting choice for a seiyuu. It's no one I've ever heard of, that's for sure, but maybe she's done a commercial or something already. She also uses something of a genuine voice, unlike something twisted or trained into a higher pitched squeak that you would hear from a more seasoned seiyuu (which also isn't a bad thing all the time, of course). This is a little strange sometimes, concerning her character, but also makes Tomo feel quite a bit more real. As long as you ignore her metallic-colored hair.
Even though it's not often that I've watched an anime with this kind of story, I felt as if I could probably grow to like the characters, that there'd be some definite competition and confrontations, that and there'll most likely be some swoops in animation the likes of which I've never seen.
It all kinda reminded me a bit of Suzuka, actually.
All in all, it seems like a pretty decent.. but not quite good show.
No one will watch it.
(..except me.
....maybe.)
Labels: Lemon Angel Project
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