Robots Dance To K-pop Music

The DSME Marine Robot Pavilion is the largest pavilion at the Yeosu Expo. The pavilion is dedicated to showcasing the latest in robotic technology.

While the pavilion features many different kinds of robots, including a life-like robot capable of expressing realistic human facial movements, netizens were intrigued by a group of dancing robots.

The robots were programed to dance to different songs, including a medley of Korean songs. The robots can be seen mimicking some of Korea's most iconic dance crazes including Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry" dance, and Brown Eyed Girls' sexy hip dance in "Abracadabra".

Check out a video of the dancing robots below:

Source: jpopasia

PSotD - Ai Kotoba

Title: Ai Kotoba

Artist: Shounen-T/ Original: Hatsune Miku/ Composer: DECO*27
Year: 2011

Notes: I have previously posted about this song Ai Kotoba. However, today I want to share a Nico cover/rearrange version which I think is really beautiful. Shounen-T's voice is very strong and powerful and his piano skills are really good too.

More Code Geass pics :)

DDL: From nicosound - scroll down until you see three links in a row. Click on the far right link with the words "MP3 を抽出".

PIKO announces new single

It’s been revealed that singer PIKO will be releasing a new single this summer.

“Make My Day!” is PIKO’s sixth single and will be the opening theme song to anime “Binbogamiga!” (God of Poverty). The anime is scheduled to air in July, while the single is slated for an August 15th release. The manga is currently being serialized in JUMP Square.

The single will come in three editions and the limited edition will include a DVD with performance footage from the “Ki/oon 20 Years & Days” concert that was held on May 19th, 2012. It will also come with a wide cap sticker and card. Limited edition B will include a Sakura Ichigo from ‘Binbogamiga!’ grafig (paper figurine) and the first press of the regular edition will include a PIKO card.

PSotD - Wherever You Are

Title: Wherever You Are

Artist: ONE OK ROCK
Album: Niche Syndrome
Year: 2010

Notes: A very gentle (soft rock) love song by the JRock band ONE OK ROCK. Taka's voice is so powerful in this song.

Random Code Geass picture. Lelouch and Suzaku are so cute :3

DDL: 

Vote for L’Arc~en~Ciel to visit your hometown during their next world tour!

L’Arc~en~Ciel has opened up voter registration for their next world tour. What this means is that you can submit a vote to get L’Arc to perform in your city!

You have to type your country, city, name, age, sex, and e-mail address into the voting box and then you can continue on and vote for your favorite songs to be played as well. There are currently over 51,000 votes, so if you want L’Arc to play in your area, get your friends and family to vote along with you.

You can vote here.

Source: Tokyohive

Piko releases new album "2PIKO"

Famous Japanese singer Piko recently released his second album "2PIKO". The tracklist includes:

1. ジョージャク:ヤッパダメカ

2. 咲色リフレイン 

3. 君に逢いたくて 

4. 乱獲パラレル 

5. 天樂 

6. シンドローム

7. ピコピコ★ナイトオブギャラクシー

8. ユメハナ 

9. Unlimited Dream Walkers

10. Maker÷Breaker

11. ONLINE 

12. Acid soul-完全に厨二病じゃん-

13. ☆ピコピコ★レジェンドオブザナイトオブギャラクシー (BONUS TRACK.) 

A sample of the album can be downloaded here.

SID to release new album, “M&W”

Rock band SID has revealed that their new album, “M&W“, will be released on August 1!

This will be the band’s first full-length album in about a year and 5 months, with their last being “dead stock“. It will feature a total of 11 tracks, including their hit singles “Itsuka“, “Fuyu no Bench“, “Nokoriga“, and “S“.

The album will be available for purchase in 3 different versions: Limited Edition A, Limited Edition B, and Regular Edition. Both Limited Editions will come with a DVD containing footage of different live performances.

SID recently kicked off their nationwide tour, “TOUR 2012 ‘M&W’ preview“, on June 1. In September, after the album’s release, the band is scheduled to start “TOUR 2012 ‘M&W’“.

Source: Tokyohive

SNSD reveals details + track list for “Paparazzi”

In the span of just 2-days Shoujo Jidai has been releasing information on their upcoming Japanese single “PAPARAZZI” in pieces.

The news of their upcoming single “PAPARAZZI” was first released on the girls’ Japanese mobile site. After revealing the PV teaser and preview, they also revealed two promotional photos. Now the group has released the single jackets and track lists for the single.

As previously mentioned the single has been described as a strong dance tune, and to match the song, Shoujo Jidai’s choreography will include a ‘camera shutter’ move while also being chased around by paparazzi.

“PAPARAZZI” will be released on June 27th.

Check out the track list and details of the various versions below!

-

Limited Edition

< CD >

1. PAPARAZZI

2. PAPARAZZI (Instrumental)
< DVD >

1. PAPARAZZI -Music Video-

2. PAPARAZZI -Music Video-(Close-up Version)

Extra: Photo Booklet

A: GIRLS’ GENERATION PAPARAZZI “SPECIAL ISSUE”

B: GIRLS’ GENERATION PAPARAZZI “BEHIND THE SCENES”


Regular Edition Type A

< CD >

1. PAPARAZZI

2. PAPARAZZI (Instrumental)
< DVD >

1. PAPARAZZI -Music Video-


Regular Edition Type B

< CD >

1. PAPARAZZI

2. PAPARAZZI (Instrumental)

Source: Tokyohive

PSotD - Never Meant to Belong

Title: Never Meant to Belong

Artist: Shiro Sagisu
Album: BLEACH Original Soundtrack I
Year: 2005

Notes: A background song from the anime Bleach. Bleach was the anime that got me into the whole anime/manga craze, so I have rather emotional ties with this anime, despite the negative feedback that other people give. I think this manga has a brilliant storyline (at least the first season does), I love the characters and Kubo's artwork is unique. Kubo's a natural at drawing manga, he can capture deep and realistic human emotions with very few strokes of his brush, his pacing of the story is good, and his panels tend to be drawn at uncommon but effective angles and perspectives. Furthermore, Bleach is full of action, swords and bishies, the three things that makes my otaku life complete.
This song always makes me sad when I listen to it. I remember it being played during the scene where Rukia is imprisoned and she reflects back to the happy moments she spent with Ichigo and co..

DDL: From Gendou music (Requires account - it's easy to make one!)

DECO*27 announces 3rd full album, ‘Love Calendar’

DECO*27 has announced that he will be releasing his third full album ‘Love Calendar‘ on July 25.

The album is reported to tell the story of two high school students who have fallen in love for the first time. ‘Love Calendar’ will detail the ups and downs of their relationship with vibrancy and life within the “maelstrom of love” through its 12 tracks.

The songwriter charmed fans with the expressiveness in his songs. marina (ex-Girls Dead Monster) features in the album as well. The guitar portions are, naturally, played by DECO*27 himself, while drums will be provided by Fukuda Yoko (BOOM BOOM SATELLITES) and bass by Nikamoto Ryosuke (Yuukei Rampage).

It has also been revealed that voice actress Yuuki Aoi, who gained popularity as the voice behind the main character of the hit anime ‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica‘, will be participating in the album as a guest vocalist. Yuuki has previously worked with DECO*27 on the songs “Tokei Kanransha” and “Sugar Loop“, both of which were composed, written, and arranged by DECO*27 and were included in her mini-album ‘Petit Pas‘ earlier this year. Yuuki will provide fresh vocals for DECO*27’s song “Kisou Honnou“.

Source: Tokyohive

SNSD reveals two different promotional pictures for “Paparazzi”

Korean idol group Shoujo Jidai (SNSD) has unveiled two different promotional pictures for their upcoming fourth Japanese single “Paparazzi“, which will be released on June 27th.

As tokyohive previously reported, the single will be the group’s first Japanese single in approximately a year and two months. To promote their new single, Shoujo Jidai has unveiled two different pictures, which represent the limited and regular editions of “Paparazzi”.

The limited edition promo picture shows the idol group standing in the street seen in the music video for the song as the girls avoid the paparazzi on their way to the stage. The set for the music video is said to have taken a full week to construct, and required 120 staff members to shoot plus an additional 300 people to serve as extras. The other picture, their artist photo for the regular edition version of the single, shows a stylishly-dressed Shoujo Jidai posing for the camera.

“Paparazzi” is said to be a strong dance tune packed with the girls’ distinctive flavor. To connect with the title of the song, the girls have added a special ‘camera shutter’ move into the choreography and will be chased by the media all over the world to represent the theme in multiple ways.

Source: Tokyohive

PSotD - Code Geass R1 OST 1

So the story goes, when and if pumpkin gets addicted to something, pumpkin gets addicted to it; stalks it to death; collects everything related to it; hallucinates about it; drools over it; breathes it; goes crazy (a.k.a. fangirls) over it; it becomes the only thing pumpkin talks about; and repeat.
What's pumpkin's latest craze? Code Geass (+bishies).

Title: Stream of Consciousness; Cold Nobility; The First Signature; In Justice; All Hail Britannia!!!

Artist: Nakagawa Koutarou
Year: 2006

Notes: A selection of songs from the first OST of the first season of the anime Code Geass (with some picture spammage in between). 
DDL: From keiichianimeforever.com 

SPYAIR to release new single, “0 GAME”

Rock band SPYAIR has revealed that they will be releasing their new single, “0 GAME“, on June 27th.

This will be the band’s first single since releasing “My World” back in March. Not much about the single has been revealed at this time, except that it will be available in both limited and regular editions.

Additionally, SPYAIR will hold a 3-day live called ‘Manatsu no 3ban Shoubu 2012‘ at Shibuya CLUB QUATTRO in August. The band’s official website is currently taking applications for ticket pre-orders.

Stay tuned for more details on SPYAIR’s upcoming single!

Source: Tokyohive

Miyano Mamoru holds special live

On May 6th, popular voice actor Miyano Mamoru held a special live called ‘MAMORU MIYANO SPECIAL LIVE 2012 ~FIGHTING!~‘ at Pacifico Yokohama.

Miyano is known for voicing characters in the animes ‘Death Note‘ and ‘Mobile Suit Gundam 00‘. Tickets for this concert sold out several minutes after it went on sale. He excited about 4,500 fans with 21 songs including “EGOTISIC“, “Orpheus“, and “FANTASISTA“.

The concert kicked off with Miyano showing off his dance moves alongside professional dancers. He greeted the crowd saying, “The special live has started! I’m going on full throttle from the beginning!” Aside from singing track lists from the album ‘FANTASISTA’ and “DREAM FIGHTER“, he challenged himself to a large jump rope and a game of ‘Russian roulette’, where he ate a piece of sushi with a lot of wasabi in it.

Miyano took the stage again for an encore after the crowd gave a “Mamo” call. He expressed, “I thought a lot about how difficult it would be to express myself at this big place. But after standing here, where I feel I’m not alone, I think I can take another step toward my dreams.” Miyano also thanked his fans saying, “I’m very glad that I got to spend quality time with everyone here today. Everyone, thank you!”

On August 22nd, Miyano will release footage from this concert and last year’s summer tour on DVD and Blu-ray.

Source: Tokyohive

PSotD - Stories

Title: Stories

Artist: Hitomi Kuroishi
Year: 2006

Notes: Insert song for the anime Code Geass. 
Such a calming and peaceful song. It brings forth a lot of emotions.

DDL: From Gendou music (Requires account - it's easy to make one!)

Anime Review (v.P): Code Geass - Rebellion of Lelouch (Season 2)

I take back the words I said in my review of Code Geass season 1. I am so watching this anime again! My view of this anime has totally changed after watching season 2. [Edit: Woah Code Geass is released in a shoujo manga? :mindblown:]

Synopsis: (from myanimelist.net)

A year has passed since "The Black Rebellion" and the remaining Black Knights have vanished into the shadows, their leader and figurehead, Zero, executed by the Britannian Empire. Area 11 is once more squirming under the Emperor's oppressive heel as the Britannian armies concentrate their attacks on the European front. But for the Britannians living in Area 11, life is back to normal. On one such normal day, a Britannian student, skipping his classes in the Ashford Academy, sneaks out to gamble on his chess play. But unknown to this young man, several forces are eying him from the shadows, for soon, he will experience a shocking encounter with his own obscured past, and the masked rebel mastermind Zero will return.

Review:

[STORY] Season 2 is filled with much more action, sneaky tactics, brain games and, of course, bishies! Initially, I found the first two episodes confusing with the introduction of the new character Rolo, Lelouch's younger brother. But once the truth of that part of the story was cleared up everything else seemed to fall into place and make sense. Rolo's final actions lead me to like his character. I'm still slightly confused about the goal of Lelouch's father and mother. I was really sad when they reported Suzaku dead; but I knew in the back of my mind that he would survive somehow, and to my delight he came back as Zero. I was sad to discover that in the end C.C. didn't get her wish fulfilled.

Rating: 7.5

[ART] The art style is similar to that of season 1, but I felt that the producers "smoothed out" some of the non-human styles that were present in the first season.
Rating: 7

[SOUND] I loved the second opening song World End by Flow. The insert song in the final episode was really good too.
Rating: 7

[CHARACTER] I fell in love with Lelouch even more. I loved his clothing design when Lelouch took to the throne. Is it just me or did Suzaku become more handsome in the second season? At some point I found that I started hating Nanally. I really disliked her weak character trying to act to be really strong and putting those around her in pain. Also, Shirely reminded me of Orihime from Bleach.

Rating: 7

[ENJOYMENT] With most of the characters laid out in Season 1, it made understanding the plot of season 2 much easier, and hence I found this anime to be very enjoyable.
Rating: 8

[OVERALL] There are a rare selection of animes whose endings can make me cry. Code Geass is now one of them. May you rest in peace my dear bishie, Lelouch.
Rating: 8

Anime Review (v.P): Code Geass - Rebellion of Lelouch (Season 1)

Simply put this anime is about revenge. This revenge takes the form of war and destruction.

Synopsis: (from myanimelist.net)

On August 10th of the year 2010 the Holy Empire of Britannia began a campaign of conquest, its sights set on Japan. Operations were completed in one month thanks to Britannia's deployment of new mobile humanoid armor vehicles dubbed Knightmare Frames. Japan's rights and identity were stripped away, the once proud nation now referred to as Area 11. Its citizens, Elevens, are forced to scratch out a living while the Britannian aristocracy lives comfortably within their settlements. Pockets of resistance appear throughout Area 11, working towards independence for Japan.

Lelouch, an exiled Imperial Prince of Britannia posing as a student, finds himself in the heart of the ongoing conflict for the island nation. Through a chance meeting with a mysterious girl named C.C., Lelouch gains his Geass, the power of the king. Now endowed with absolute dominance over any person, Lelouch may finally realize his goal of bringing down Britannia from within!

Review:

[STORY] For the most part of the anime I found it rather boring. The story where the protagonist is bestowed with a "special power" which they use to destroy and take revenge to create a "better world" reminded me very much of the storyline for Death Note; but I guess pride and revenge are the main themes surrounding shounen animes. It took me a while to get into the spirit of the anime. The beginning was confusing and too many characters were thrown into the plot at the same time. I only got excited about the story on the third last episode which was the climax point of the anime. I must give the ending some credit though, because I thought that the producers created a wonderful cliff hanger for the second season. Now I can't wait to watch the second season.
Rating: 7

[ART] Code Geass has a very unique art style. It definitely falls into the shounen art style. The joints of the human body are depicted as very pointy and sharp. Quite a lot of the shots are shown from below, giving the impression that the characters have long legs and disproportional body sizes.
Rating: 7

[SOUND] I didn't really like the opening or ending songs. However, the background music used throughout the anime was very well composed and matched the atmosphere.
Rating: 5

[CHARACTER] While having many characters in an anime or manga makes the story interesting and provides many branches of potential development, however, introducing too many characters without fully developing each character is a waste and confuses the audience. I felt that there were too many characters to keep track of. But I guess in a war story you need to create lots of people so that they can die.
I found it hard to like the main character, because he is portrayed as the evil one destroying the world, disrupting the peace and betraying friends. Nevertheless, Lelouch is a true bishie, and Pumpkin loves bishies. So in the end I think I do like Lelouch even though I disagree with Lelouch's actions. Further, Lelouch's seiyuu is one of my favourite seiyuus. The exact same things can be said about Suzaku. I Loved CC's voice.

I was disturbed by the fact that Euphie was Lelouch's first love. Geez they share the same father...that's just wrong.

Rating: 5

[ENJOYMENT] I found that only the ending was enjoyable. The other parts of the story was confusing, and yet again let me complain about the overdose of characters that were poorly developed.
Rating: 6

[OVERALL] If you asked me whether I would watch this again, the clear answer is 'no'. However, I would recommend this anime to people who like shounen style and mecha. I wish that I read the manga before watching the anime. I think I would've enjoyed the anime more because I would've understood the plot better.
If I may guess, my intuition tells me that Lelouch is going to die at the end of the next season - so time to watch season 2 and see what happens!
Rating: 7

My Loot

I find that retail therapy is an effective temporary relief from depression (provided you have enough spare money to spend). I reckon I earn enough to be able to spoil myself every now and then. It has been a while since my last shopping spree so this afternoon I decided to get some retail therapy.

I love accessories, especially rings because they have special meaning to me. So to start off my pampering, I went down to two accessory/clothing shops to check out if there were any cool items on sale. To my dismay, one shop had nothing interesting at all and all their items were really expensive. However, in the second clothing shop they had many items on sale, among them were necklaces, rings, bracelets, hairbands and scarfs. Three items immediately caught my eye.

Firstly, the two leather studded style bracelets (top left and middle). There was a black version of the bracelet in purple colour, but I decided against buying it because wearing a black bracelet with dark/black clothing doesn't really stand out. Next, I saw the chain/bracelet shown in the bottom of the picture and thought that it would look cool as a key-chain or strap. Just as I was walking out to the checkout I noticed the red flower clip shown in the top right. I thought that it would be a nice accessory to pin to my black dresses.

The next shop I visited was an anime/manga/figurine shop. This shop overcharges a lot but it's the only anime shop close to my workplace, and I know they ship quite a lot of their stuff directly from Japan and is trustworthy (i.e. doesn't sell fakes). Plus, shipping from across the country would be quite costly, so that is why I am still a loyal customer to the shop. I roamed around for a bit, staring in longing at the numerous (expensive!) nendroids, manga and artbooks. While I was looking around at the glass counter full of figurines I saw this really cute nendroid which was in my price range. This character was not from an anime that I have watched before. However, I fell in love with the cuteness of the character the moment I saw it and knew I had to buy it. It appears that this character is from an anime called Magical Girl Lyrical NANOHA - the Movie 1st. This nendroid comes in a blind-box set with a total of 8 characters, meaning that you buy a sealed box and inside this box is one of the eight possible characters, but you don't know what character is inside until you open the box up. I guess that's the fun and excitement of buying blind-box nendroids, you never know what you're going to get. So before I go and open mine, here's a few snaps of the packaging.

And now, drumroll please as I cut open my box...

Tada!

All in all, the total amount I spent today is less than the amount I get paid for one hour of work. The best thing is, for such small amount it helped me get rid of my depression...at least for tonight.

PSotD - Only My Railgun

Title: Only My Railgun

Artist: fripSide
Year: 2009

Notes: Opening song for the anime To Aru Kagaku no Railgun. 

Such a catchy and cheerful song!

DDL: From Gendou music (Requires account - it's easy to make one!)

And I'll throw in a Vocaloid (Len) version for kicks.

Fine fine, I'll throw in a Miku version as well. Enjoy.

Does this song make you feel like dancing?

Oh look, an Exit Trance version!

PSotD - Mai Kaze + Updates

Good evening. I'm in quite a good mood tonight. I restarted my anime marathon addiction. Around December 2011 I had put watching anime on hiatus mainly because I got sick and tired of the repeating (naive) storylines. But last night I realised that I had a lot of stress built up from "life", and it occurred to me that I had been feeling pretty depressed for over two months. I knew I needed a way of releasing these negative emotions. Previously, I found that drowning myself in music was an effective solution. Sadly, as of last week this antidote stopped working; No matter what music I listened to (even my beloved Gackt), they were not able to lift me from my depression hole. Last night I decided to start watching anime again, and it was a good decision. I'm feeling pretty good right now, having watched two animes, Another and Chaos;Head (edit: I also watched Accel World). As you may have noticed, today I posted an anime review on Another. This review (and hopefully many more to come) is independent of the anime reviews that MegaBubbletea has been writing, and the opinions are solely mine, pumpkin_so77.

Back to topic, tonight I want to share a song from one of my favourite animes Hakuouki. There's plenty of bishies to drool over in this anime so get your towels ready!

Title: Mai Kaze 

Artist: Aika Yoshioka
Year: 2010

Notes: Opening song for the anime Hakuouki: Hekketsu-roku.

DDL: From Gendou music (Requires account - it's easy to make one!)