OP/ED Op-Eds: The Best of Summer 2015

Bad news: Summer is over. Worse news: Summer season is not yet over. As you might have been able to tell from the dearth of content, the current anime load-out hasn’t really managed to swipe us off our feet. A more satisfactory review awaits you in a few weeks, but now that we’re halfway through the season already, the members of our merry crew have had more than enough time to pick their favourite anime song of the season. That is, if they even watched anything at all this season.

Jukebox: Reclaiming Idols

Believe it or not, Japan can make other music aside from peppy pop! It has a vibrant underground music scene, which over the years has developed into an influential force to be reckoned with. In Jukebox, we take a look at the versatility of the Japanese music industry — beyond the realm of anime and other geekery. This time, we explore how Japanese pop ‘idols’ have transformed over the years, maybe even for the better. Can idols be saved, or have scandals doomed them to live on as a creatively bankrupt, patriarchic relic?

OP/ED Op-Eds: The Best of Spring 2015

‘Tis finally the season for annoying summer hits, so let’s all stay inside and reflect on the good old days before the calypso beats took over. Only it’s not the early 2000’s anymore and this is an anime blog, so the music isn’t going to be that much better. Especially since this season has been positively gasping for decent shows and decent songs to go with them, so don’t be surprised if you’re going to get a bit of déjà vu from this here feature. For what they’re worth, these are our favourite anime songs from the past season.

First Look: Sound! Euphonium

Kumiko has just started high school away from most of her old friends. she used to be in band, but now doesn’t seem to want anything to do with it. Despite mixed feelings, her new friends slowly lead her back to the concert band.

A Very GLORIO 2014: Aqua’s Top 14 Tracks of 2014

Welcome to “A Very GLORIO 2014″, our look back at the best of the past year. We’ll be featuring a different post from each of our authors everyday leading up to our top 10 shows of the year. On this merry Christmas Day, Aqua does that thing where he talks for way too long about his dumb taste in music.

OP/ED Op-Eds: The Best of Fall 2014

We’re back a bit earlier this season with that feature where I can pretend to write for Pitchfork again, and in grand music industry tradition, we’ll start picking the best song of the season already when the season’s still going on, just to get it out of the way before the yearly wrap-up content.

Your Lie In April Episode 7

The day of the big recital finally comes. Kaori gives Kousei some much needed pep-talks before the big day, but he still has his doubts. His trauma manifests into a new form as he remembers an old pet his mother took away. Meanwhile, the two no-names from the end of last episode finally make their presence known as Kousei’s rivals. Will Kousei have the ability to match their expectations?

Your Lie In April Episode 6

Kousei is driven hard by Kaori to start practicing for a recital. His abilities have noticeably decreased, and his mental struggles still affect his playing. Kaori finally understands the carelessness of her actions, but in her enthusiasm Kousei finds the strength to continue. Meanwhile, Tsubaki is in the midst of Regionals when she starts to get jealous of Kousei and Kaori’s closeness.

Your Lie In April Episode 2

The gang gets Kaori to her competition in the nick of time. Her playing blows the audience out of the water, and solidifies Kousei’s crush. Unfortunately, her unorthodox style gets no points from the judges. Realizing he’s only second fiddle to Ryota, he becomes melancholy once again, but he just can’t get her out of his head.

First Look: Your Lie In April

Kousei Arima is a former child prodigy. After his mother’s death, he swears off the piano, instead deciding to spend his time like any other normal middle schooler. After being cajoled by his best friend Tsubaki, he goes to a get-together where he meets Kaori Sawabe, an energetic violin player. She has her sights set on his friend Ryota, but for Kousei, it’s love at first sight.

OP/ED Op-Eds: The Best of Summer 2014

Summer is generally the least interesting period of the year in the world of music, yet I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the sheer amount of enjoyable anime songs this season. I suppose the guy running many a voice actress’s lackluster soprano through Protools deserves a break as well. In any case, it’s time to select the best of the best as the season comes to its end.

OP/ED Op-Eds: The Best of Spring 2014

It’s the end of yet another anime season, so amidst all the final impressions, we also try to choose our favourite anime theme songs of the season. This proved rather exceptionally hard this season, as not one, but two songs were picked by two different people. I had no idea we had such unanimous taste over here. Then again, maybe we just didn’t watch enough anime this season, and that should probably tell you something.

Jukebox: Kayoko Yoshizawa

Believe it or not, Japan can make other music aside from peppy pop! It has a vibrant underground music scene, which over the years has developed into an influential force to be reckoned with. In Jukebox, we take a look at the versatility of the Japanese music industry — beyond the realm of anime and other geekery. Last time, way too long ago, we learnt about Mop of Head and their bouncy dance music. As usual with this feature, it’s time for something entirely different… erm, peppy pop, actually. Who the heck is Kayoko Yoshizawa?

This Japanese Idol Group Dares To Go Where No Other Idol Group Has Gone Before!

Move over, posers! This enchanting and smoking hot new idol group from Japan gives the audience what they’ve truly been clamouring for! The cute and sexy members of this new pop sensation bare it all on the streets of Akihabara to show their fans what being an idol is truly all about! Saucy maid outfits! Suggestively eating ice cream! Lewd dance routines! This video has it all! Even the girls from AKB048 make an appearance, lamenting their incoming fall into oblivion at the hands of these hot, new darlings! Check it out!

OP/ED Op-Eds: The Best of Winter 2014

It’s the end of yet another anime season, so amidst all the final impressions, we also try to choose our favourite anime theme songs of the season. As usual, we get a wide variety of crazy songs from a wide variety of crazy shows, but to my giant distress there’s an awfully scary amount of weird early noughties synth metal. Oh my.

Jukebox: Mop of Head

Believe it or not, Japan can make other music aside from peppy pop! It has a vibrant underground music scene, which over the years has developed into an influential force to be reckoned with. In Jukebox, we take a look at the versatility of the Japanese music industry — beyond the realm of anime and other geekery.…