December 20th, 2010
My Comments/Rant on the Top 15 Seiyuus
Well, let me just say this first, if you're a rather die-hard fan (meaning that if I were to ask you to pick a weak point in your favourite artiste, you'll say "none" without hesitation) and happen to have one of these people on your list, I STRONGLY advise you against reading this post.
My general stand on all of them, however, is that they're over-rated.
1. Hirano Aya
Well, what can I say? Pure over-rated. I mean, she does a passable job at voice acting, but it is by no means any better than most of the girls in the seiyuu business. She doesn't screw up, but none of her characters impressed me either. Basically, I won't be complaining if she gets the usual or slightly more than usual amount of attention but this is way over the top. And please don't get me started on her singing abilities.
2. Kugimiya Rie
She has slightly more to be proud of than Hirano I guess… I mean, take her on her home grounds (tsundere) and not many can beat her. Take her out of her comfort zone though, and once again, you get something that's mediocre at best.
3. Fukuyama Jun
When I heard him as Lelouch, I seriously wanted to kill him. Every word he utters is translated to "come slap me in the face" in my head. But more of him made me discover that he is actually pretty good, at nearly every role except for inflated idiots. Recently, he seems to be getting the roles which suit him more, and I enjoy listening to him.
4. Miyano Mamoru
Miyano has one strength: obnoxious characters. Well, obnoxious in a good way; in a Tamaki way. Humourous or dramatic characters are brought out well by him, but this drama gets into every single other character he does and, more often than not, they do not suit the slightest. So with him, I either love his roles or hate them, and given that he has more misses than hits, its more often hate… (To his credit, he is improving though)
5. Paku Romi
Oh my god, where to start. Personally, I feel that she does the worst possible job at voicing young boys. Let's see, we seem to have a 15 year old who tries to talk like he's 60! I like peformances which are more natural and real (for examples, check out Minagawa Junko, Takeuchi Junko, or my latest find, Sanpei Yuuko), which Paku consistently fails to deliver. If anything, her prescence on the top 5 irks me the most. (but not by a wide margin)
6. Mizuki Nana
After hearing countless misses from her, I finally found her niche: young girls or young boys. Unfortunately, she doesn't get those roles very often, more frequently landing up with serious women whom she absolutely desecrates . She basically incorporates the Lelouch element into all of them, and I think that says enough.
7. Horie Yui
In my opinion, the best among the top 10. Horie has had a very consistent career and all her roles are definitely solid to say the least. Even though she does seem to get too many unrealistically perfect girls who annoy the heck out of me, I feel that her performances are always spot on. While obviously I'm not saying that she is 40 times better than someone with 100 favourites, I feel that her place in the top 10 is well, or rather, better deserved.
8. Noto Mamiko
I shall not try to deny her abilities at bringing across subtle emotions in her characters, but often her voice is a little static. A few episodes of her is fine, or maybe a character which doesn't speak much is also fine, but to watch a long anime with her as a main character kills me. She's like the many others in the top 10: have their own strengths but otherwise, are not that impressive.
9. Sugita Tomokazu
If I were to deliver a fair judgment on him, I'd sincerely say he is good. I used to think voices like his is only nice on the ears and completely incapable of expression. Then along came Honey and Clover which taught me how wrong I was. As if that wasn't enough, his role as Yuuichi in Kanon was so heartfelt I was reduced to tears at many points in time. Indeed, I would like him a lot, if it wasn't for his videos/pages or whatever being filled with "OMG! His voice is so damn hot". Yep, so I'm sorry Sugita, you don't annoy me; your fans do.
10. Sakurai Takahiro
Sakurai is someone who is rather consistent, but whose voice for certain characters (mostly clingy or wimpy ones) does have a annoying ring to it. Personally, I'd much rather hear him in roles like Oshino Meme, which is definitely his best role to date, because he adopts a very laid-back yet confident approach. I guess for him, I would say that I am quite impressed, though I'd still say he's over-rated.
11. Ono Daisuke
Now we've reached the worst of the lot. What can I say, countless animes wrecked by him later, I have yet to find a redeeming feature in him. Well, I guess for soft-spoken and cool characters who get two lines an episode, he may drop off my radar, but gosh, they just have to cast him with characters which speak a whole lot, don't they? Ono for me is like the absolute worst case, a terrible seiyuu getting main roles in almost every new anime. Makes me feel like my anime days are over.
12. Sakamoto Maaya
While I do enjoy how her performances are usually very natural, I feel that any attempt for her to go out of her comfort zone turns out disastrous. However, she does not seem to get much main roles recently, and hearing bits of her here and there is quite fine with me.
13. Kamiya Hiroshi
Once again, he has his own niche: drama. His portrayal of Natsume and Takemoto was excellent, really bringing out the characters' emotions and uncertainty. However, cast him in anything else and disaster ensues. And now that he has been getting more and more popular, it seems like 'anything else' is all that he's playing, which further reaffirms that my anime days are over…
14. Wakamoto Norio
I have no major complaints about him since I haven't heard him in that many roles.
15. Hiyashibara Megumi
While none of her roles have disappointed me, I must also say that none have impressed me. But seeing that she is so prolific, maybe I just haven't been seeing the right roles…
My general stand on all of them, however, is that they're over-rated.
1. Hirano Aya
Well, what can I say? Pure over-rated. I mean, she does a passable job at voice acting, but it is by no means any better than most of the girls in the seiyuu business. She doesn't screw up, but none of her characters impressed me either. Basically, I won't be complaining if she gets the usual or slightly more than usual amount of attention but this is way over the top. And please don't get me started on her singing abilities.
2. Kugimiya Rie
She has slightly more to be proud of than Hirano I guess… I mean, take her on her home grounds (tsundere) and not many can beat her. Take her out of her comfort zone though, and once again, you get something that's mediocre at best.
3. Fukuyama Jun
When I heard him as Lelouch, I seriously wanted to kill him. Every word he utters is translated to "come slap me in the face" in my head. But more of him made me discover that he is actually pretty good, at nearly every role except for inflated idiots. Recently, he seems to be getting the roles which suit him more, and I enjoy listening to him.
4. Miyano Mamoru
Miyano has one strength: obnoxious characters. Well, obnoxious in a good way; in a Tamaki way. Humourous or dramatic characters are brought out well by him, but this drama gets into every single other character he does and, more often than not, they do not suit the slightest. So with him, I either love his roles or hate them, and given that he has more misses than hits, its more often hate… (To his credit, he is improving though)
5. Paku Romi
Oh my god, where to start. Personally, I feel that she does the worst possible job at voicing young boys. Let's see, we seem to have a 15 year old who tries to talk like he's 60! I like peformances which are more natural and real (for examples, check out Minagawa Junko, Takeuchi Junko, or my latest find, Sanpei Yuuko), which Paku consistently fails to deliver. If anything, her prescence on the top 5 irks me the most. (but not by a wide margin)
6. Mizuki Nana
After hearing countless misses from her, I finally found her niche: young girls or young boys. Unfortunately, she doesn't get those roles very often, more frequently landing up with serious women whom she absolutely desecrates . She basically incorporates the Lelouch element into all of them, and I think that says enough.
7. Horie Yui
In my opinion, the best among the top 10. Horie has had a very consistent career and all her roles are definitely solid to say the least. Even though she does seem to get too many unrealistically perfect girls who annoy the heck out of me, I feel that her performances are always spot on. While obviously I'm not saying that she is 40 times better than someone with 100 favourites, I feel that her place in the top 10 is well, or rather, better deserved.
8. Noto Mamiko
I shall not try to deny her abilities at bringing across subtle emotions in her characters, but often her voice is a little static. A few episodes of her is fine, or maybe a character which doesn't speak much is also fine, but to watch a long anime with her as a main character kills me. She's like the many others in the top 10: have their own strengths but otherwise, are not that impressive.
9. Sugita Tomokazu
If I were to deliver a fair judgment on him, I'd sincerely say he is good. I used to think voices like his is only nice on the ears and completely incapable of expression. Then along came Honey and Clover which taught me how wrong I was. As if that wasn't enough, his role as Yuuichi in Kanon was so heartfelt I was reduced to tears at many points in time. Indeed, I would like him a lot, if it wasn't for his videos/pages or whatever being filled with "OMG! His voice is so damn hot". Yep, so I'm sorry Sugita, you don't annoy me; your fans do.
10. Sakurai Takahiro
Sakurai is someone who is rather consistent, but whose voice for certain characters (mostly clingy or wimpy ones) does have a annoying ring to it. Personally, I'd much rather hear him in roles like Oshino Meme, which is definitely his best role to date, because he adopts a very laid-back yet confident approach. I guess for him, I would say that I am quite impressed, though I'd still say he's over-rated.
11. Ono Daisuke
Now we've reached the worst of the lot. What can I say, countless animes wrecked by him later, I have yet to find a redeeming feature in him. Well, I guess for soft-spoken and cool characters who get two lines an episode, he may drop off my radar, but gosh, they just have to cast him with characters which speak a whole lot, don't they? Ono for me is like the absolute worst case, a terrible seiyuu getting main roles in almost every new anime. Makes me feel like my anime days are over.
12. Sakamoto Maaya
While I do enjoy how her performances are usually very natural, I feel that any attempt for her to go out of her comfort zone turns out disastrous. However, she does not seem to get much main roles recently, and hearing bits of her here and there is quite fine with me.
13. Kamiya Hiroshi
Once again, he has his own niche: drama. His portrayal of Natsume and Takemoto was excellent, really bringing out the characters' emotions and uncertainty. However, cast him in anything else and disaster ensues. And now that he has been getting more and more popular, it seems like 'anything else' is all that he's playing, which further reaffirms that my anime days are over…
14. Wakamoto Norio
I have no major complaints about him since I haven't heard him in that many roles.
15. Hiyashibara Megumi
While none of her roles have disappointed me, I must also say that none have impressed me. But seeing that she is so prolific, maybe I just haven't been seeing the right roles…
Posted by Jen9204 | Dec 20, 2010 7:24 PM | 0 comments
December 22nd, 2009
Composers
As with singers, I do not think one composer has it all. Everyone has their own niche and style, after all. Some composers choose to experiment with new things, resulting in impressive versatility but the occasional slip-up. Others invest in tried and true format with almost every piece of work, which does get tiring to those who want variety, but will consistently produce pleasant soundtracks. Two best examples of the former and latter are Yoko Kanno and Yuki Kajiura.
Personally, if I were to choose a favourite composer, it'd probably be Joe Hisaishi. Not because his works are substantially better than many others whom I favor, but because I like his outlook on life. (Or at least what I inferred about it from watching some of his videos and live performances) I admire him as one who has dedicated his life to his job, and remained passionate about it. When I see him conduct, I do not see someone who wants everything done as per his interpretation, but loves to see the vibrancy of everyone's ability coming together.
One look which struck me was at the end of the 'Joe Hisaishi in Budokan', which somehow conveyed to me the dedication he has for his music, how he may have faced many set-backs and overwhelming temptations to give up along the way (something I'm sure that all people who have done music are familiar with) but chose to press on, and how that now, he's finally looking at the fruit of his labour.
His music definitely also have substances to boast of. I particularly like how he uses simple rhythms and tunes to fit the many movies of Studio Ghibli. However, he has also shown versatility in other areas with his sober and melancholic works for 'Okuribito' and 'I'd Rather be a Shellfish'. It is not possible to dislike his music, yet it is also impossible to tire of them. Even though the films are supposedly meant for kids, I admire his ability to give each film its identity and making it music something which crosses all age groups.
Other Composers -in a somewhat loose order of favourites to not-as-impressed
Takanashi Yasuharu
He's a master at traditional Japanese sounds. However, just that alone won't land him so high among my rank. Versatility and in line with the anime image are there to back his works up. He's not afraid to experiment and never fails to impress. Finally, the fusion of traditional with genres like rock is very refreshing and surprisingly, sounds great!
Recommended: Naruto Shippuden, Fairy Tail
Hitoshi Sakimoto
I really enjoy how his music has the distinctive medieval setting. Though versatility is not something he has to boast of, grandeur and life more than makes up for it. When you let your imagination take over, his works can truly bring you to wondrous worlds.
Recommended: Romeo x Juliet, Final Fantasy XII
Sahashi Toshihiko
His range and style is amazingly diverse. He never forgets the subtle details in the animes he composes for, and the careful listener will be able to pick it all out. Another huge bonus is how enjoyable all his soundtracks are. However, he runs into the consistent problem of his soundtracks being overly repetitive. I thought that was a syndrome only limited to Gundam Seed (seeing as there's a total of 8 disks for both seasons) but it also oddly surfaced in single-disk Gunslinger Girl OST.
Recommended: Katekyoushi Hitman Reborn, Gunslinger Girl
Michiru Oshima
I've always been hearing very positive remarks about her. Now that I finally heard a few more of her works, I can confidently state that the attention is well deserved. With her works, don't expect dramatic bangs and booms, but expect something that will tug at your heartstrings constantly and draw you straight into the music.
Recommended: Sora no Woto, Xam'd Lost Memories
Senju Akira
Senju Akira's works have a very distinct graceful feel to them. This is generally a sure recipe for beautiful soundtracks, like those of Red Garden and Arete Hime.
Recommended: Arete Hime, Red Garden
Yoko Kanno
Versatility is almost her specialty. One really can't relate works like Darker than Black, Escaflowne and Uncharted Waters to the same person. Though I'm not a huge fan of heavy rock and jazz in general, I'm impressed by her seemingly endless supply of completely new styles. However, precisely because I'm not a big fan of heavy rock and jazz pieces, some of her soundtracks just doesn't appeal to me.
Recommended: Uncharted Waters, Escaflowne
Yuki Kajiura
Her style is very unique at first, until I was disheartened to find that she sticks to it almost the whole way through. While that distinct 'Kajiuran feel' may be good to some, I really want her to display more variety, both in music styles and instrumental choice.
Recommended: Tsubasa Chronicles, El Cazador de la Bruja
Haketa Takefumi
Though I won't consider any particular work of his masterpieces (don't get me wrong, they're still very good. Just not 'life-changing' or anything of that sort), I really like how his music melts seamlessly into their animes, without being too glaring. From Aoi Hana's slow and light to Vampire Knight's mysterious and foreboding, he had done it all perfectly. Oh their own, these soundtracks are also very pleasant to listen to.
Recommended: Vampire Knight, Aoi Hana
Nakagawa Koutarou
His works for Code Geass are phenomenal. While I don't know why it hints of latin, I have absolutely no complaints. His works for 07-Ghost aren't shabby either. (3 disk is a bit of an over-kill but I still liked it) I'll be having high hopes for him.
Recommended: Code Geass
Shiro Sagisu
Evangelion! Need anymore be said? Impact, beauty, tension, grievance, that soundtrack has got it all. I definitely need to listen to more of his works soon.
Recommended: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Yoshihisa Hirano
I loved his work for Ouran seeing as how well the music fitted the anime. However, more of him and I start to realise that he doesn't have that wide of a range. The amazing fit for Ouran start to look more and more due to director's wisdom rather than his genius. Nonetheless, I like him for being one of the rare composers nowadays who work off classical themes and bring them, all nicely packaged and in bite-size pieces, into his music.
Recommended: Ouran High School Host Club
Iwasaki Taku
His works borders on the extreme. On the plus side, I get the idea he's a very very inspired composer, often surprising me with his daring mix of classical and contemporary. However, it is not uncommon of his works to go 'over the line' and turn into something which frankly, is hell for me to listen to. Still, if you get his good soundtracks, they are just fantastic!
Recommended: Rurouni Kenshin OVA
Nobuo Uematsu
Though I haven't really heard his soundtracks for Final Fantasy much, I really love the orchestra arrangements for Distant Worlds. His choice of instrumentals and innovative melodies are impressive. Entertainment wise, his works never fail to impress. But then, wildly over-rated, no?
Kamagata Eiichi
His works for Gintama are definitely strong. I like him for being so daring and unrestrained in his composition, utilizing every 'instrumental' imaginable. I am not sure how well they function to someone who doesn't know the anime, but to those who have, his music is brilliant!
Recommended: Gintama
Tenmon
5 Centimeters per Second is the only work I've heard from him, and I get the impression that his style probably won't evolve much. However, I must point out that he is good at what he does. The music was an integral part of 5 Centimeters per Second. Let me promise you, if you removed the music, no one would ever cry when watching the movie.
Yasunori Mitsuda
While I haven't heard any complete soundtracks from him, I like what I've been gathering form tracks here and there. He was a very distinct style to his works, with hints of light Jazz in many of them.
Yoshino Yuuji
From just listening to Spice and Wolf, I really like his take on music. After all, folk tunes are getting very uncommon on the soundtrack scene. However, his work also seems quite static. I do not foresee his range being very wide...
Yoshinori Makoto
While the themes within Baccano OST itself are repetitive, I really admire him for living up to the tall order set by Guns&Roses. The funky jazz is reminiscent of the lovable tune of Guns&Roses, and fits the anime like a glove.
Kaoru Wada
His screw-up with D.Gray-Man was too big for him to ever get redeemed, unless he really comes up with something groundbreaking. D.Gray-Man was particularly disappointing because he had such a wide berth to work with, yet he produced something so limited and generic.
Kawai Kenji
Well, imagine a consistent D.Gray-Man standard and you get Kawai Kenji
Personally, if I were to choose a favourite composer, it'd probably be Joe Hisaishi. Not because his works are substantially better than many others whom I favor, but because I like his outlook on life. (Or at least what I inferred about it from watching some of his videos and live performances) I admire him as one who has dedicated his life to his job, and remained passionate about it. When I see him conduct, I do not see someone who wants everything done as per his interpretation, but loves to see the vibrancy of everyone's ability coming together.
One look which struck me was at the end of the 'Joe Hisaishi in Budokan', which somehow conveyed to me the dedication he has for his music, how he may have faced many set-backs and overwhelming temptations to give up along the way (something I'm sure that all people who have done music are familiar with) but chose to press on, and how that now, he's finally looking at the fruit of his labour.
His music definitely also have substances to boast of. I particularly like how he uses simple rhythms and tunes to fit the many movies of Studio Ghibli. However, he has also shown versatility in other areas with his sober and melancholic works for 'Okuribito' and 'I'd Rather be a Shellfish'. It is not possible to dislike his music, yet it is also impossible to tire of them. Even though the films are supposedly meant for kids, I admire his ability to give each film its identity and making it music something which crosses all age groups.
Other Composers -in a somewhat loose order of favourites to not-as-impressed
Takanashi Yasuharu
He's a master at traditional Japanese sounds. However, just that alone won't land him so high among my rank. Versatility and in line with the anime image are there to back his works up. He's not afraid to experiment and never fails to impress. Finally, the fusion of traditional with genres like rock is very refreshing and surprisingly, sounds great!
Recommended: Naruto Shippuden, Fairy Tail
Hitoshi Sakimoto
I really enjoy how his music has the distinctive medieval setting. Though versatility is not something he has to boast of, grandeur and life more than makes up for it. When you let your imagination take over, his works can truly bring you to wondrous worlds.
Recommended: Romeo x Juliet, Final Fantasy XII
Sahashi Toshihiko
His range and style is amazingly diverse. He never forgets the subtle details in the animes he composes for, and the careful listener will be able to pick it all out. Another huge bonus is how enjoyable all his soundtracks are. However, he runs into the consistent problem of his soundtracks being overly repetitive. I thought that was a syndrome only limited to Gundam Seed (seeing as there's a total of 8 disks for both seasons) but it also oddly surfaced in single-disk Gunslinger Girl OST.
Recommended: Katekyoushi Hitman Reborn, Gunslinger Girl
Michiru Oshima
I've always been hearing very positive remarks about her. Now that I finally heard a few more of her works, I can confidently state that the attention is well deserved. With her works, don't expect dramatic bangs and booms, but expect something that will tug at your heartstrings constantly and draw you straight into the music.
Recommended: Sora no Woto, Xam'd Lost Memories
Senju Akira
Senju Akira's works have a very distinct graceful feel to them. This is generally a sure recipe for beautiful soundtracks, like those of Red Garden and Arete Hime.
Recommended: Arete Hime, Red Garden
Yoko Kanno
Versatility is almost her specialty. One really can't relate works like Darker than Black, Escaflowne and Uncharted Waters to the same person. Though I'm not a huge fan of heavy rock and jazz in general, I'm impressed by her seemingly endless supply of completely new styles. However, precisely because I'm not a big fan of heavy rock and jazz pieces, some of her soundtracks just doesn't appeal to me.
Recommended: Uncharted Waters, Escaflowne
Yuki Kajiura
Her style is very unique at first, until I was disheartened to find that she sticks to it almost the whole way through. While that distinct 'Kajiuran feel' may be good to some, I really want her to display more variety, both in music styles and instrumental choice.
Recommended: Tsubasa Chronicles, El Cazador de la Bruja
Haketa Takefumi
Though I won't consider any particular work of his masterpieces (don't get me wrong, they're still very good. Just not 'life-changing' or anything of that sort), I really like how his music melts seamlessly into their animes, without being too glaring. From Aoi Hana's slow and light to Vampire Knight's mysterious and foreboding, he had done it all perfectly. Oh their own, these soundtracks are also very pleasant to listen to.
Recommended: Vampire Knight, Aoi Hana
Nakagawa Koutarou
His works for Code Geass are phenomenal. While I don't know why it hints of latin, I have absolutely no complaints. His works for 07-Ghost aren't shabby either. (3 disk is a bit of an over-kill but I still liked it) I'll be having high hopes for him.
Recommended: Code Geass
Shiro Sagisu
Evangelion! Need anymore be said? Impact, beauty, tension, grievance, that soundtrack has got it all. I definitely need to listen to more of his works soon.
Recommended: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Yoshihisa Hirano
I loved his work for Ouran seeing as how well the music fitted the anime. However, more of him and I start to realise that he doesn't have that wide of a range. The amazing fit for Ouran start to look more and more due to director's wisdom rather than his genius. Nonetheless, I like him for being one of the rare composers nowadays who work off classical themes and bring them, all nicely packaged and in bite-size pieces, into his music.
Recommended: Ouran High School Host Club
Iwasaki Taku
His works borders on the extreme. On the plus side, I get the idea he's a very very inspired composer, often surprising me with his daring mix of classical and contemporary. However, it is not uncommon of his works to go 'over the line' and turn into something which frankly, is hell for me to listen to. Still, if you get his good soundtracks, they are just fantastic!
Recommended: Rurouni Kenshin OVA
Nobuo Uematsu
Though I haven't really heard his soundtracks for Final Fantasy much, I really love the orchestra arrangements for Distant Worlds. His choice of instrumentals and innovative melodies are impressive. Entertainment wise, his works never fail to impress. But then, wildly over-rated, no?
Kamagata Eiichi
His works for Gintama are definitely strong. I like him for being so daring and unrestrained in his composition, utilizing every 'instrumental' imaginable. I am not sure how well they function to someone who doesn't know the anime, but to those who have, his music is brilliant!
Recommended: Gintama
Tenmon
5 Centimeters per Second is the only work I've heard from him, and I get the impression that his style probably won't evolve much. However, I must point out that he is good at what he does. The music was an integral part of 5 Centimeters per Second. Let me promise you, if you removed the music, no one would ever cry when watching the movie.
Yasunori Mitsuda
While I haven't heard any complete soundtracks from him, I like what I've been gathering form tracks here and there. He was a very distinct style to his works, with hints of light Jazz in many of them.
Yoshino Yuuji
From just listening to Spice and Wolf, I really like his take on music. After all, folk tunes are getting very uncommon on the soundtrack scene. However, his work also seems quite static. I do not foresee his range being very wide...
Yoshinori Makoto
While the themes within Baccano OST itself are repetitive, I really admire him for living up to the tall order set by Guns&Roses. The funky jazz is reminiscent of the lovable tune of Guns&Roses, and fits the anime like a glove.
Kaoru Wada
His screw-up with D.Gray-Man was too big for him to ever get redeemed, unless he really comes up with something groundbreaking. D.Gray-Man was particularly disappointing because he had such a wide berth to work with, yet he produced something so limited and generic.
Kawai Kenji
Well, imagine a consistent D.Gray-Man standard and you get Kawai Kenji
Posted by Jen9204 | Dec 22, 2009 9:30 PM | 1 comments
December 18th, 2009
Soundtracks!
I'm quite into music, so I listen to a lot of anime and sometimes movie soundtracks, some of which I simply skim through, and some which I'll really sit down quietly one day and listen carefully to every single track. I reviewed a few soundtracks and opening/ending singles on Anime Instrumentality (under Jen). Do go take a look if you're free, cause, well, I won't say my reviews are very good yet since I'm still learning, but the others there are brilliant. =)
Here are just some short thoughts on those I've really listened to and am confident enough to give my verdict. The score, however, is pretty general since a lot depends on taste. Though it's unlikely for someone to find something rated 2/10 to be groundbreaking, nor is is likely to call something I rate 8/10 atrocious (unless you're one of the all-too-common blind/deaf fans I see nowadays, who seem to think that even the crap coming out of your favourite person is gold...)
Once again, recall that I will use the full deflection between 1 to 10. Basically something getting a 6/10 is still something which I'd say is pretty good.
Top 5 Favourite Soundtracks:
1. Romeo x Juliet
2. Fairy Tail
3. Ouran High School Host Club
4. Naruto Shippuden
5. Katekyoushi Hitman Reborn!
5 Centimeters Per Second [6/10]
Simple and relaxing. What I like is that there aren't many tracks, so you really remember the themes. It is definitely worth listening to, especially when you're doing something which requires your attention but want some music on in the background.
Aoi Hana [7/10]
It is like 5 centimeters per second: relaxing. Aoi Hana has few single tracks which stands out. Instead, the whole OST acts as one entity, only delivering it's magic if you listen to the whole thing in one sitting. Which I feel, is well worth it.
Arete Hime [8/10]
This is the OST which sets Akira Senju firmly in my list of favourite composers. The OST was impactful not in the form of being noisy or grand, but in the simplicity and everlasting feel it delivers.
Clannad [3/10]
While Clannad OST is highly acclaimed and I agree, may have great music value, but I just couldn't see it. The only thing I knew was the phenomenal discipline required to not switch to another OST to listen to altogether.
Code Geass [7/10]
I don't understand why it sounds latin, seriously. While fitting the anime well isn't exactly it's strong point, there is no denying it soars in the entertainment charts. I definitely enjoyed it.
D.Gray-Man [2/10]
This is an epic failure. The whole soundtrack is unbelievably underwhelming. You get the same theme, style and even instrumentals whole way through, all jumbled into a messed up ball of atrocity. Which is a real shame, because DGM had provided a great setting for an epic soundtrack.
Darker than Black [4/10]
Honestly, I didn't enjoy this OST. The only merit is that I can't help but admire Yoko Kanno's fresh take at every single one of her works. I can't blame her the slightest for this OST, cause I can feel the heart she put into it. It's just my barrier to heavy rock styles that blocked them all out.
El Cazador de la Bruja [7/10]
One of Yuki Kajiura's more innovative works. You can really feel the wild west vibe in it. Really enjoyable and fresh.
Fairy Tail [9/10]
Yasuharu seriously surprised me with this masterpiece. The sense of adventure in the form of Celtic rock is just so new I can't stop listening to it over and over. Can get a little noisy, but heck! Where's the fun without some noise? xD
Gintama [6/10]
Very daring and creative, but like the anime, can get disturbingly unrestrained and forward. For those who've watched the anime, you can definitely connect with this.
Gundam 00 [2/10]
Well if hearing arrangements of a single theme over and over in virtually the same instrumentals doesn't bother you, Gundam 00 is for you. I think this is easily the biggest failure of any Gundam OSTs.
Gunslinger Girl [6/10]
Sahashi always impresses me with his versatility, and the beautiful scene of Italy brought across in this soundtrack doesn't disappoint. Those loving historical feel will love this soundtrack. However, it can get pretty dull since it is rather subtle and repetitive.
hack.sign [3/10]
One of Yuki Kajiura's rare misses which is a real disaster, bordering on the almost unlistenable. It is the worse of her usual style. Aside from a rare gem here and there, this is really not worth my, or anyone's time.
Honey and Clover [6/10]
The OST was decent enough but largely made of atmospheric tracks. In a way, it suits the slice-of-life nature of the anime, and there were a number of deeply moving tracks. However, I can't help but want to ask a bit more of it.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn [8/10]
Jazzy, cute and doubtlessly innovative, Katekyo Hitman Reborn has one of the most enjoyable soundtracks I've ever come across in a long time.
K-ON! [1/10]
Yep, this is the definition of light music indeed: random beeps and bloops going off all over, which creates an overall effect of messiness and complacency.
Le Portrait De Petite Cossette [7/10]
This is the usual Kajiura fanfare, but it's more like a compilation of the best of her classic kajiuran style. It is definitely pleasant to listen to and is something fans of Kajiura shouldn't miss.
Mononoke [8/10]
By letting traditional Japanese instruments take center stage, Yasuharu made another highly unique and memorable soundtrack. Atmosphere build-up was seamless and with some upbeat tracks and a few other unorthodox tracks, it kept me hooked throughout.
Naruto Shippuden [9/10]
One word: epic! I love how rock is combined with traditional in this soundtrack. It doesn't have a single boring moment. Though a few tracks are relatively generic, credit must be given to it being one of the most engaging soundtracks in a long time.
Ouran High School Host Club (9/10)
One major reason why Ouran succeeds while many other romantic-comedies fail is at how the setting is created. Ouran has one of the best soundtracks to fit the setting, bringing across the aristocrat and carefree lifestyles of these insanely rich kids. The classical theme works surprisingly well, and is a very refreshing change from the usual soundtracks we hear.
Pandora Hearts [4/10]
Pandora Hearts soundtrack isn't unpleasant but it lacks originality in every single sense of the word. While the Alice in Wonderland feel is achieved, I can't help asking for more originality, more heart into the piece of work.
Red Garden [8/10]
My first experience of Senju Akira left me with a very good impression. It may be a little slow at some points but it really makes the emotional connection with listeners.
Romeo x Juliet [10/10]
This soundtrack is just too amazing for words in both composition and in delivery. Seamless transitions of atmosphere, with the medieval setting and orchestral grandeur combining into breathtaking beauty. It was one of the first soundtracks I've ever listened to, and countless other soundtracks later, it still remains as my favourite.
Sora no Woto [8/10]
Ooshima Michiru uses light instrumentals and tunes with hints of militaristic themes in the background. While I am not sure what the anime is about, the very pairing of these two unlikely themes already brings up its uniqueness factor. At points it is really festive or innocent, at others heavily melancholic, yet it all flows together perfectly as one entity.
Sousei no Aquarion [7/10]
If there is one word to describe this, it will be epic. I can hardly believe such attention was paid to just an anime soundtrack. However, the constant energy has kind of worked against it, since almost an hour of orchestra going at full blast can be relatively draining.
Spice and Wolf [7/10]
I really enjoy the folk-ish themes and carnival feel of it. Though slightly repetitive, it definitely allows your imagination to take flight.
True Tears [7/10]
I listened to this soundtrack on a whim, and I could say this is one of the best accidents ever. While it does not have that much to stand out from the many slice of life animes out there, the few tracks which were touching enough to draw tears, make me stop what I was doing to just pay 100% attention to it really made it special.
Tsubasa Chronicles [8/10]
This was a really enjoyable listen because the story takes place in parallel worlds, so you get a whole variety of settings. The combination of celtic, new age, techno, jazz and numerous other genres keeps one entertained the whole way through.
Vampire Knight [6/10]
It really manages to set the atmosphere almost perfectly and is probably one of the stronger points in the anime.
xxxHolic [6/10]
This is quite an eccentric soundtrack, but entertaining overall. There are a few very good tracks which are fresh and cute, but a larger than average number of atmospheric tracks which may make listening a bit tedious. Still, it's well worth it.
Here are just some short thoughts on those I've really listened to and am confident enough to give my verdict. The score, however, is pretty general since a lot depends on taste. Though it's unlikely for someone to find something rated 2/10 to be groundbreaking, nor is is likely to call something I rate 8/10 atrocious (unless you're one of the all-too-common blind/deaf fans I see nowadays, who seem to think that even the crap coming out of your favourite person is gold...)
Once again, recall that I will use the full deflection between 1 to 10. Basically something getting a 6/10 is still something which I'd say is pretty good.
Top 5 Favourite Soundtracks:
1. Romeo x Juliet
2. Fairy Tail
3. Ouran High School Host Club
4. Naruto Shippuden
5. Katekyoushi Hitman Reborn!
5 Centimeters Per Second [6/10]
Simple and relaxing. What I like is that there aren't many tracks, so you really remember the themes. It is definitely worth listening to, especially when you're doing something which requires your attention but want some music on in the background.
Aoi Hana [7/10]
It is like 5 centimeters per second: relaxing. Aoi Hana has few single tracks which stands out. Instead, the whole OST acts as one entity, only delivering it's magic if you listen to the whole thing in one sitting. Which I feel, is well worth it.
Arete Hime [8/10]
This is the OST which sets Akira Senju firmly in my list of favourite composers. The OST was impactful not in the form of being noisy or grand, but in the simplicity and everlasting feel it delivers.
Clannad [3/10]
While Clannad OST is highly acclaimed and I agree, may have great music value, but I just couldn't see it. The only thing I knew was the phenomenal discipline required to not switch to another OST to listen to altogether.
Code Geass [7/10]
I don't understand why it sounds latin, seriously. While fitting the anime well isn't exactly it's strong point, there is no denying it soars in the entertainment charts. I definitely enjoyed it.
D.Gray-Man [2/10]
This is an epic failure. The whole soundtrack is unbelievably underwhelming. You get the same theme, style and even instrumentals whole way through, all jumbled into a messed up ball of atrocity. Which is a real shame, because DGM had provided a great setting for an epic soundtrack.
Darker than Black [4/10]
Honestly, I didn't enjoy this OST. The only merit is that I can't help but admire Yoko Kanno's fresh take at every single one of her works. I can't blame her the slightest for this OST, cause I can feel the heart she put into it. It's just my barrier to heavy rock styles that blocked them all out.
El Cazador de la Bruja [7/10]
One of Yuki Kajiura's more innovative works. You can really feel the wild west vibe in it. Really enjoyable and fresh.
Fairy Tail [9/10]
Yasuharu seriously surprised me with this masterpiece. The sense of adventure in the form of Celtic rock is just so new I can't stop listening to it over and over. Can get a little noisy, but heck! Where's the fun without some noise? xD
Gintama [6/10]
Very daring and creative, but like the anime, can get disturbingly unrestrained and forward. For those who've watched the anime, you can definitely connect with this.
Gundam 00 [2/10]
Well if hearing arrangements of a single theme over and over in virtually the same instrumentals doesn't bother you, Gundam 00 is for you. I think this is easily the biggest failure of any Gundam OSTs.
Gunslinger Girl [6/10]
Sahashi always impresses me with his versatility, and the beautiful scene of Italy brought across in this soundtrack doesn't disappoint. Those loving historical feel will love this soundtrack. However, it can get pretty dull since it is rather subtle and repetitive.
hack.sign [3/10]
One of Yuki Kajiura's rare misses which is a real disaster, bordering on the almost unlistenable. It is the worse of her usual style. Aside from a rare gem here and there, this is really not worth my, or anyone's time.
Honey and Clover [6/10]
The OST was decent enough but largely made of atmospheric tracks. In a way, it suits the slice-of-life nature of the anime, and there were a number of deeply moving tracks. However, I can't help but want to ask a bit more of it.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn [8/10]
Jazzy, cute and doubtlessly innovative, Katekyo Hitman Reborn has one of the most enjoyable soundtracks I've ever come across in a long time.
K-ON! [1/10]
Yep, this is the definition of light music indeed: random beeps and bloops going off all over, which creates an overall effect of messiness and complacency.
Le Portrait De Petite Cossette [7/10]
This is the usual Kajiura fanfare, but it's more like a compilation of the best of her classic kajiuran style. It is definitely pleasant to listen to and is something fans of Kajiura shouldn't miss.
Mononoke [8/10]
By letting traditional Japanese instruments take center stage, Yasuharu made another highly unique and memorable soundtrack. Atmosphere build-up was seamless and with some upbeat tracks and a few other unorthodox tracks, it kept me hooked throughout.
Naruto Shippuden [9/10]
One word: epic! I love how rock is combined with traditional in this soundtrack. It doesn't have a single boring moment. Though a few tracks are relatively generic, credit must be given to it being one of the most engaging soundtracks in a long time.
Ouran High School Host Club (9/10)
One major reason why Ouran succeeds while many other romantic-comedies fail is at how the setting is created. Ouran has one of the best soundtracks to fit the setting, bringing across the aristocrat and carefree lifestyles of these insanely rich kids. The classical theme works surprisingly well, and is a very refreshing change from the usual soundtracks we hear.
Pandora Hearts [4/10]
Pandora Hearts soundtrack isn't unpleasant but it lacks originality in every single sense of the word. While the Alice in Wonderland feel is achieved, I can't help asking for more originality, more heart into the piece of work.
Red Garden [8/10]
My first experience of Senju Akira left me with a very good impression. It may be a little slow at some points but it really makes the emotional connection with listeners.
Romeo x Juliet [10/10]
This soundtrack is just too amazing for words in both composition and in delivery. Seamless transitions of atmosphere, with the medieval setting and orchestral grandeur combining into breathtaking beauty. It was one of the first soundtracks I've ever listened to, and countless other soundtracks later, it still remains as my favourite.
Sora no Woto [8/10]
Ooshima Michiru uses light instrumentals and tunes with hints of militaristic themes in the background. While I am not sure what the anime is about, the very pairing of these two unlikely themes already brings up its uniqueness factor. At points it is really festive or innocent, at others heavily melancholic, yet it all flows together perfectly as one entity.
Sousei no Aquarion [7/10]
If there is one word to describe this, it will be epic. I can hardly believe such attention was paid to just an anime soundtrack. However, the constant energy has kind of worked against it, since almost an hour of orchestra going at full blast can be relatively draining.
Spice and Wolf [7/10]
I really enjoy the folk-ish themes and carnival feel of it. Though slightly repetitive, it definitely allows your imagination to take flight.
True Tears [7/10]
I listened to this soundtrack on a whim, and I could say this is one of the best accidents ever. While it does not have that much to stand out from the many slice of life animes out there, the few tracks which were touching enough to draw tears, make me stop what I was doing to just pay 100% attention to it really made it special.
Tsubasa Chronicles [8/10]
This was a really enjoyable listen because the story takes place in parallel worlds, so you get a whole variety of settings. The combination of celtic, new age, techno, jazz and numerous other genres keeps one entertained the whole way through.
Vampire Knight [6/10]
It really manages to set the atmosphere almost perfectly and is probably one of the stronger points in the anime.
xxxHolic [6/10]
This is quite an eccentric soundtrack, but entertaining overall. There are a few very good tracks which are fresh and cute, but a larger than average number of atmospheric tracks which may make listening a bit tedious. Still, it's well worth it.
Posted by Jen9204 | Dec 18, 2009 2:02 AM | 2 comments
November 24th, 2009
Randomness
I've always wanted to make this but then because I can never quite remember what to put in, I've never got started. After a year of planning (and forgetting, then re-planning etc), I've decided to do a profile at last. If I remember anything else, I'll just add in. XD
Personality
The good: passionate, energetic, optimistic, natural leader, loyal
The bad: (just a bit) perfectionistic, bad at judging situation, (slightly) control freak, passive
Favourite Colours
Purple
Dark Blue
Maroon
Personality
The good: passionate, energetic, optimistic, natural leader, loyal
The bad: (just a bit) perfectionistic, bad at judging situation, (slightly) control freak, passive
Favourite Colours
Purple
Dark Blue
Maroon
Posted by Jen9204 | Nov 24, 2009 7:20 PM | 0 comments
November 23rd, 2009
Singers
I'm a critic, so that should say all. OK, if it doesn't, it basically means I take joy in scrutinizing stuff. To be more direct, it means I do not 'fan-girl' over any music group. You'll never hear me saying things like 'OMG!! I love Stereopony/Sakamoto Maaya/SID/Ayaka etc etc', because I always feel that no one can have it all.
Which is why even for singers, I'm grouping them up by skill, voice, music style, expression. Why? Because some singers or groups, say.. Wakeshima Kanon, has very unique music style and daring expression but weak vocals. Kalafina's Wakana and Keiko have brilliant voices and good music style but poor expression. I'll still listen to them all (I listen to anything actually) and appreciate them, but I'm always aware of their shortcomings and thus, can't honestly say that they're my favourites.
Good Voice
Mizuki Nana
Kalafina (with the exception of Hikaru, who seems to only perform well in studio recordings)
Kanon
SID
Good Singing Skill
KOKIA
Ishikawa Chiaki
Shikata Akiko
Good Music Style
Angela
Shikata Akiko
Shoujo Byou
Kalafina
Sound Horizon (their narration and weird stuff turns me off, but no argument that the style is interesting)
Supercell
Good Expression
Oda Kaori
KOKIA
Suara
GRANRODEO
I'm always open to more recommendations of artists, so do share with me your favourites! Cause I NEED variety in my life, so I listen to any singer which strikes my attention. =)
*sidenote*Oh! But there're these few I never want to hear anymore of, so please don't recommend them
Arashi (their songs all magically sound the same)
Utada Hikaru (go buy any 2000 American album and it'll sound similiar)
YUI (3 songs and I feel that I've already seen everything she can possibly deliver)
Aqua Timez (sadly, I can't differentiate them and Arashi)
Access (loved their Doubt&Trust, so went to hear loads of others. After another 10 variations of crap, I concluded maybe Doubt&Trust is their only breakthrough)
ON/OFF (pretty much the same as Access. Loved the VK opening, then listened to a whole album of crap)
High and Mighty Color (there's a reason why I have almost 100 of their songs but only heard about 10...)
Hirano Aya (for obvious reasons that I don't think she even passes off as a decent singer)
Kiroro (draggy, boring and lacks punch)
Which is why even for singers, I'm grouping them up by skill, voice, music style, expression. Why? Because some singers or groups, say.. Wakeshima Kanon, has very unique music style and daring expression but weak vocals. Kalafina's Wakana and Keiko have brilliant voices and good music style but poor expression. I'll still listen to them all (I listen to anything actually) and appreciate them, but I'm always aware of their shortcomings and thus, can't honestly say that they're my favourites.
Good Voice
Mizuki Nana
Kalafina (with the exception of Hikaru, who seems to only perform well in studio recordings)
Kanon
SID
Good Singing Skill
KOKIA
Ishikawa Chiaki
Shikata Akiko
Good Music Style
Angela
Shikata Akiko
Shoujo Byou
Kalafina
Sound Horizon (their narration and weird stuff turns me off, but no argument that the style is interesting)
Supercell
Good Expression
Oda Kaori
KOKIA
Suara
GRANRODEO
I'm always open to more recommendations of artists, so do share with me your favourites! Cause I NEED variety in my life, so I listen to any singer which strikes my attention. =)
*sidenote*Oh! But there're these few I never want to hear anymore of, so please don't recommend them
Arashi (their songs all magically sound the same)
Utada Hikaru (go buy any 2000 American album and it'll sound similiar)
YUI (3 songs and I feel that I've already seen everything she can possibly deliver)
Aqua Timez (sadly, I can't differentiate them and Arashi)
Access (loved their Doubt&Trust, so went to hear loads of others. After another 10 variations of crap, I concluded maybe Doubt&Trust is their only breakthrough)
ON/OFF (pretty much the same as Access. Loved the VK opening, then listened to a whole album of crap)
High and Mighty Color (there's a reason why I have almost 100 of their songs but only heard about 10...)
Hirano Aya (for obvious reasons that I don't think she even passes off as a decent singer)
Kiroro (draggy, boring and lacks punch)
Posted by Jen9204 | Nov 23, 2009 6:55 AM | 2 comments
November 20th, 2009
Sub-Standard Seiyuus
Maybe sub-standard is too tough a word, because, after all, this is my riskiest blog post to date. Now we all agree people excel in different things right? And it not only lies in talent, it lies in effort and in some cases, willingness to lose face. Here comes the saying 'genius is 99% effort, 1% talent' *ok, it's actually a chinese saying...*. Why am I sidetracking? It is an attempt to distract you and possibly make myself seem more forgivable to the die-hard fans of these erm.. not-quite-satsfactory seiyuus...
One pattern (yes, this is still distraction) you'd notice is that it's mostly very popular seiyuus whom I habour hate against. I will not deny my 'sticking up for the underdog' tendencies. The major factor at play, however, is because they're so popular, that I expect a lot out of them. And if (or should I say 'when', since most of them do) they fall short, I'm left with a million dollar question "just what's their appeal??".
I am not saying they suck at everything. Trust me, if there are any honourable mentions, I'll mention it here. Though if their name appears here in the first place, they can't have that many honourable mentions to speak of... ^=^
Final point! I tend to forgive young or new seiyuus screwing up their first few jobs. I mean, c'mon! Everyone has to learn! (Though looking at people like Hanazawa Kana, those above 20 and still can't do well: shame on you!) only those who consistently screw up will land up here, I assure you!
Ono Daisuke
Where should I start... OK! It is kinda sad he ended up here because frankly, I like the quality of his voice. But then, his acting is poor enough to draw tears (not in a good way). When I first watched Kuroshitsuji, that was before I even paid that much attention to seiyuus and it was his first job I saw, my thought was 'brilliant art, sub-standard voice acting'. Later on, his complete lack of skill continued to rear its ugly head through countless other anime. Now if there's a record for most indifferent voice acting carried across all forms of character, he'll get it for sure!
Honourable mention? Well if I have to squeeze one in, it'll be that he has insanely good luck. At ending up with super popular characters which he'll screw up, doubtlessly, but will gather more and more worshipers which will land him more and more roles which he'll still screw up. Ah~ what a wonderful world... >.> Then again, luck is something all over-rated seiyuus have in common.
Miyano Mamoru
Yes, it is a bit funny to see him here, since Tamaki is one of my all-time favourites, and he is becoming an all-time favourite seiyuus around, given his good looks, *cough* natural charisma *cough* and top notch voice acting *choke*. OK, before I get to the bad, let's state his honourable mention! He can play simpleton characters rather well. Downside? His character sounds hollow. Some may say that his role as Zero is brimming with emotions, when all I hear is the echos within an empty vessel. Zero sounds conflicted? Maybe. He sounds confused? Doubt so. He sounds constipated? Definitely!
Mizuki Nana
Don't get me wrong, I am by no means trying to deny her singing abilities. I gladly admit she is blessed with one of the strongest and most pleasant singing voice I've ever heard. But her seiyuu abilities are a completely different story. She has 2 versions, arrogant or spineless, neither of which bodes well with me. If you ignore the very obvious lack of emotions, there's still the problem of her being simply not into the character. And yes, it's annoying! It's very annoying!
Hoshi Souichirou
Master of constipated voices, whether its wimpy characters like Giou Yuki in UraBoku (leave those roles to Miyake Kenta please) or supposed tough guys like Sanada Yukimura. Just a pain to hear him trying unbelievably hard, making his performance so dramatic yet falling completely flat.
Paku Romi
I don't get her appeal, seriously. She plays young boys and make them sound so rowdy and forced. Whatever guy she plays sounds like they're trying to grow up fast, not to an adult but to an old man. Completely unnatural...
*more to be added as I see fit*
One pattern (yes, this is still distraction) you'd notice is that it's mostly very popular seiyuus whom I habour hate against. I will not deny my 'sticking up for the underdog' tendencies. The major factor at play, however, is because they're so popular, that I expect a lot out of them. And if (or should I say 'when', since most of them do) they fall short, I'm left with a million dollar question "just what's their appeal??".
I am not saying they suck at everything. Trust me, if there are any honourable mentions, I'll mention it here. Though if their name appears here in the first place, they can't have that many honourable mentions to speak of... ^=^
Final point! I tend to forgive young or new seiyuus screwing up their first few jobs. I mean, c'mon! Everyone has to learn! (Though looking at people like Hanazawa Kana, those above 20 and still can't do well: shame on you!) only those who consistently screw up will land up here, I assure you!
Ono Daisuke
Where should I start... OK! It is kinda sad he ended up here because frankly, I like the quality of his voice. But then, his acting is poor enough to draw tears (not in a good way). When I first watched Kuroshitsuji, that was before I even paid that much attention to seiyuus and it was his first job I saw, my thought was 'brilliant art, sub-standard voice acting'. Later on, his complete lack of skill continued to rear its ugly head through countless other anime. Now if there's a record for most indifferent voice acting carried across all forms of character, he'll get it for sure!
Honourable mention? Well if I have to squeeze one in, it'll be that he has insanely good luck. At ending up with super popular characters which he'll screw up, doubtlessly, but will gather more and more worshipers which will land him more and more roles which he'll still screw up. Ah~ what a wonderful world... >.> Then again, luck is something all over-rated seiyuus have in common.
Miyano Mamoru
Yes, it is a bit funny to see him here, since Tamaki is one of my all-time favourites, and he is becoming an all-time favourite seiyuus around, given his good looks, *cough* natural charisma *cough* and top notch voice acting *choke*. OK, before I get to the bad, let's state his honourable mention! He can play simpleton characters rather well. Downside? His character sounds hollow. Some may say that his role as Zero is brimming with emotions, when all I hear is the echos within an empty vessel. Zero sounds conflicted? Maybe. He sounds confused? Doubt so. He sounds constipated? Definitely!
Mizuki Nana
Don't get me wrong, I am by no means trying to deny her singing abilities. I gladly admit she is blessed with one of the strongest and most pleasant singing voice I've ever heard. But her seiyuu abilities are a completely different story. She has 2 versions, arrogant or spineless, neither of which bodes well with me. If you ignore the very obvious lack of emotions, there's still the problem of her being simply not into the character. And yes, it's annoying! It's very annoying!
Hoshi Souichirou
Master of constipated voices, whether its wimpy characters like Giou Yuki in UraBoku (leave those roles to Miyake Kenta please) or supposed tough guys like Sanada Yukimura. Just a pain to hear him trying unbelievably hard, making his performance so dramatic yet falling completely flat.
Paku Romi
I don't get her appeal, seriously. She plays young boys and make them sound so rowdy and forced. Whatever guy she plays sounds like they're trying to grow up fast, not to an adult but to an old man. Completely unnatural...
*more to be added as I see fit*
Posted by Jen9204 | Nov 20, 2009 12:28 AM | 2 comments