KSTJ2 - Shiver

First, the troll version.

I love the black and white theme going on. Also I find it interesting that you don't see Claude's face until the end of the sequence. The ongoing motif of Alois' and Claude's slipping hands (and the falling ring!) is quite sad - it really goes well with the lyrics and the idea of Alois being so dependent on his demon.

I'm not sure if I like the coloured sequences though, especially the one of Hannah - it stuck out like a sore thumb in amongst the warm tones of the other colours. The shot of Alois on the stairs, however, was to die for.

Now that I think of it, Aloi's falling ring compliments the idea of the second OP, in which Ciel gets his ring back.

I'm thinking that they ran out of ideas to put in this OP, because Sebastian spends an awfully long time sauntering over to his Bocchan. Also, is it just me or does Ciel's ring look a hell of a lot different compared to season 1?

The flying rose transition is quite tacky, but I like seeing the contrast between the master-butler pairs. What I didn't like was the icky colour they used for the background of the masters walking past Hannah.

The Grell sequence was awesome. Not a lot to say about it. But the fight between Claude and Sebastian looked more like it should be in the episode content as it definitely isn't OP-worthy.

Then we have another master-butler contrast, implying heavily that Alois openly needs Claude, while Ciel thinks he's TC. I thought that Alois holding on to Claude's arm was really sweet, and so was Sebastian's endearing smile. It shows the relationship between the kids and their demons so well.

Finally, on the cliffs, we have a field of Ciel's favourite white roses. It sends chills up my spine to see Sebastian and Ciel's sad, resigned, but peaceful smiles before they dissolve into a shower of red rose petals.

The things I disliked about version 2 are that the colours are terrible, and some of the art doesn't seem like it should be in the opening animation as it's not very detailed. The ideas and symbolism are good but not cohesive.

On the other hand, version 1 is pretty cohesive and there's one really big theme (the slipping hands), but I guess there wasn't much going on in the way of symbolism...

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The GazettE - Shiver

Auditory Impression cover

Kuroshitsuji II Limited Edition cover

It's not often that I find a spectacular song by The Gaz' boys. When I first heard Shiver, I thought it was pretty unremarkable. The song had catchiness potential though, and upon watching several episodes of KSTJ2, the song started to grow on me.

First off, I really dislike songs that start off with a chorus, then go into an instrumental for ages. 17 seconds for an introductory instrumental is far too long and bland, especially if you're playing the same handful of chords over and over. It started off really strong until the instrumental started.

Shiver sounds pretty energetic compared to a lot of their recent broody songs, and I like that it has an edge without being angry. But the fact that it is non-screamy means that Ruki sings through his nostrils. The solos are average and elementary-sounding, and Kai is a bit too cymbal-happy for my liking especially towards the end. The nasally, borderline-whiny vocals and the energetic music are reminiscent of their indies days (think Tokyo Shinjuu).

On the plus side, this song differs in the way that Ruki obviously has better control of his voice now and the music sounds more structured...organised chaos, I guess you would say. I do like the considerably less distorted guitars - they're quite refreshing - and the bass does tickle my fancy as well. The bassline is interesting and it's not so loud that it sounds gaudy (until the bass solo, but that's forgivable). In fact, I didn't really hear the bass as much as I felt it, which I find to be quite beautiful indeed. Good job, Reita. :3

One thing that puts me off liking this song too much, however, is the fact that the chorus sounds like a sped up version of the chorus of Distress and Coma!! I do like that song so very much. The melody really gets me. But it means that I don't appreciate the hyperactive kid-brother that is Shiver quite as much as I would have.

Now, the PV.

This is just another run-of-the-mill PV where the band stands around playing their instruments. I didn't really expect otherwise from The GazettE though to be honest.

On the other hand, their look isn't all that bad. Kai looks a lot better when he keeps the makeup to a minimum. I find his shirt-and-waistcoat look to be very clean and cool and it works for him much better than the tight singlets and pleather of the old days.

Aoi really suits animal print and the baggy, elongated silhouette of his outfit in general. Low-cut tops look stunning on him since his shoulders are pretty broad (when he wears them he doesn't end up looking like a scrawny little boy wearing a too-big top). However I've always had a problem with the way they do his 'regular' makeup - using nothing but black shadow in a blob over his entire eyelid...it really doesn't suit him at all especially since his facial features are very strong. Everything becomes way too overpowering.

Not much to say about Reita, except that I love his hair colour and I like that he's still rocking his short-sleeve and combat boots look. Actually, his hair looks fantastic here. It hasn't been slathered with product and it looks a lot more natural compared to past looks where his spikes have been over-exaggerated.

Ruki's outfit is a bit iffy to me, but it's a typical Ruki look, isn't it? But I'm not sure that a slim-fitting metallic jacket that falls past his knees really does him any favours in terms of height. Though on second thought, the triangular shape of the coat-tails and the unbuttoned shirt do balance it out. Still, I find it uncomfortable that his shoulders are narrower than mine. 8(

Uruha looks like a homeless person in this PV. And I don't mean it in a bad way! I'm in love with that lace-up glove, the layered look and his waterfall-hair. He kinda reminds me of a modern-day, blonde version of Saito...


In the next post I'll banter on about the OP versions of the song...cos I can.

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OMG.

So many things to squee about, so little time. I've found myself struggling to fit everything into my days... But here's a brief rundown of things I've been fangirling over lately...

1. Kuroshitsuji II (and Gazette's Shiver)

Currently we're on to episode six. Halfway through, and still there are more questions than answers. Overall, the season has some rather interesting turns of events, although I find the fanservice to be OTT sometimes... Ep six had too many boobs for one episode. Some parts were also too obvious for my liking, most prominently trap!Alois. I also think Sebastian is way too imba in this season, as seen in episode 4.

On the other hand, the OP is starting to grow on me...however that can be said of most OPs. Shiver sounds like a lot of other songs by The Gaz, and unoriginality really bugs me, but the song is still catchy and the lyrics are nice. I'm also loving Bird by Matsushita Yuya. I wonder if they'll exceed the 12/13-episode limit that they projected, so we can see a new ED or OP? The current ED animation is touching but kinda boring...

2. Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan

Second season of this is due to be released soon I think. As I expected of a reverse harem series, the token female is absolutely useless, to the point where I got frustrated and stopped watching halfway for a time. The male eye-candy drew me back in though.

I have to say that of all the characters I thought I liked in the beginning, Sannan, Okita Souji and Kazama are growing on me the most. Probably because their characters have been developed to my liking more than the others...

3. D's latest single, Akaki Hitsuji ni yoru Bansankai

Okay, so I admit I haven't been very active on the VK front recently. But then I saw THIS. My hope in this band has been revived! I love the costumes in the PV (which I have not seen fully just yet x_x). Asagi looks hot in red lipstick and Hidezou's hair is amazing. The song sounds pretty good too. Tsunehito looks scarier and scarier every time I see him..............

4. Pandora Hearts

Aw, Vincent! *A* Been hording a lot of pics of him...although I don't think he's very popular with the rest of the fandom. It's okay, I still love you, Vinny!!!!!



Not sure if I'll continue SotW. It seemed like a good idea at the time but now a whole lot of other work is piling up...

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Squee of the Week

This week, I am going all mushy over
Sebastian of Kuroshitsuji.


I love contrast and paradox. I love the concept of celestial beings. I love elegance and beauty, as well as the dark and the sinister - even better when they are all combined.
Hence, I love Sebastian.

He is a knight in shining armor, in the most superficial sense – he is able to perform any task, and perform it perfectly. His manners are impeccable, he speaks with beautiful words, he looks good whatever he’s doing, and from what the anime and manga imply, he’s not bad in the sack either.

His trademark quotes:
"I'm just one hell of a butler"

"As a servant of the Phantomhive house, what would I do, if I couldn't even do this?"
or
"As a servant of the Phantomhive house, it's only natural for me to be able to do this."
(after doing something humanly impossible)


In saying all that, he really is the perfect demon – behind all these actions there is a selfish motive. There’s no kindness or caring beneath his smile. He feels no sympathy toward humans and their afflictions – he is only amused by them (kind of like Ryuk of Death Note). He’s probably the best liar in the series (unlike Ciel, who, I think, is merely in denial).


One of the biggest reasons for my liking him is, despite the fact that he’s perfect and doesn’t need or feel for anything, he seems to want to be closer to Ciel.
Of course, this could be because of the contract, his lusting for the kid’s soul, blah blah blah. But there always seems to be a hint of emotion whenever he is brushed off – a bit of amusement, but also a bit of hurt.



Cover of DVD 09.

In reference to the manga, in one of the earlier chapters, he bakes a cake for Ciel’s birthday without mentioning it to anyone, and seems a little saddened by the fact that he didn’t get to present it to him.
In the musical, he goes in to stroke Ciel’s face in the final song, only to have Ciel dodge his touch quite callously.

For whatever reason, Sebastian seems to care about Ciel's well-being, and seems to want to him experience things that will teach him important life lessons - almost like a parent. He knows that Ciel really needs him despite the child pretending that he doesn't...and sometimes he even seems a little hurt that Ciel acts that way.


I guess what it is, in essence, is that
this demon has an idea of what it’s like to be human.
And that, I find, is beautiful.


Also, he reminds me of Gackt, and other such elegant people. x3

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Kuroshitsuji II - The After-Thought

I'm kind of glad that my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to watch ep 1 of season 2, because if I hadn't watched, then I would not have realised that Squeenix et al. are THE BIGGEST TROLLS OF THE YEAR.

Watching the episode again, I've noticed that Alois is something of a slut (I mean, look at those hot pants...and his contract is on his tongue...) who thinks he's 'badass' (he's a lacking a little in the area of sanity, too). He also seems to be a pain in the ass to serve (I bet if Claude wasn't after his soul he would've killed that boy in an instant). But he's afraid of the dark and of being alone, which is where the demon butler comes in - what better to quell your insecurities than a supernatural being?

And Claude. Ah, Claude. I missed that silly tapdance he did in the raw version. Now I don't think I can take him seriously anymore.

Oh, and another note about Alois is that his popped collar (yes, his popped collar) makes him look like your stereotypical vampire. And there was that apple in the OP.... Team Alois ftl? Who needs sparkly vampires or buff werewolves when you've got a skanky little boy and his demon?

Then there was the appearance of Sebastian, soaked with rain, and his opening line: "A storm came, ne?" (I had to add in 'ne' otherwise it doesn't seem to have the same effect~). Alois telling him he smelled nice made me feel really uncomfortable.... (_ _")

And then there was his criticism of Claude's skills as a butler, leaving a spot of sauce on the side of the plate... Ah, Sebastian. You're such a prick, but that's why people love you...

When it is revealed that Ciel is in Sebastian's trunk, Alois exclaims "Ciel Phantomhive! I have you at last!". The Phantomhive ring was also hidden in a tin of tea in the Trancy estate cellar. These things are indicative of Alois being obsessed with Ciel for some reason...probably because their circumstances are alike so they understand each other... Alois does seem to be a Ciel-gone-wrong.

I predict that Alois will want to have Ciel to himself, work with him, or whatever, but of course Ciel will not want anything to do with him. Then Alois will get mad and a big fight will happen. 8D

In his spare time, Sebastian dabbles in the business of human trafficking.

The sub didn't really help. Although it did reveal to me the fact that Sebastian seems to know Hannah, or at least that there is definitely something important about her. As for the rest of the episode, actions, in this case, really do speak louder than words. Everything was pretty much self-explanatory...which means that I am still confused.

At the end, we have Sebastian in the woods with his Ciel-in-a-box (as someone on BA called it), taking the ring from the tea tin and slipping it back on his master's finger, saying, "It's time to wake up now".

Then, in the preview of the next episode, it was all the old characters, with Sebastian alluding to the puzzled look on viewers' faces, saying, "Ah, is it because you saw another butler (who wasn't me)? It is summer, and the heat may cause you to hallucinate... After all I, Sebastian Michaelis, am your only butler, right?"

At this point, I face-palmed. A couple of days ago I watched the Akai Valentine seiyuu event from February. That little bit of the picture drama made one think that it was all over. I even cried! And then Ono Daisuke handed over his gloves to Sakurai-san (can't remember his first name.............)! His gloves!! That almost made me cry too!!! You sly bastards!!!

I must admit, it was clever though. They had many people (myself included) thinking we'd never see our favourite eyepatch-clad tween ever again. Congrats to the staff. I feel thoroughly troll'd.

Oh yes, I wonder if they were going for consistency with the manga, when they dressed Ciel in a Sherlock Holmes-reminiscent outfit in the preview.

A week ago, I would have never imagined myself saying this, but I really can't wait for the next episode! BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!





EDIT: BA people seem to think that crusty old man in bed with Alois was his (dead?) father. HMMMMMM...

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Kuroshitsuji II - The Before-Thought

Okay, so I watched the raw version of Kuroshitsuji season 2 ep 1 earlier today. I am about to watch the subbed version. Here were my thoughts immediately after watching the raw, and not knowing a word of Japanese:



So, the first episode of Kuroshitsuji season 2 aired in Japan on the 1st of July. Needless to say, it was promptly available for the rest of the world to view via the internet. Needless to say (again), I promptly watched the raw version as soon as I found out. My expression after watching:




Not to be vulgar, but WTF. Okay, this probably all stems from the fact that I don't understand Japanese. I don't know. Perhaps it would be better for me to
wait for the sub to be released... But it's been bugging me so much I can't shake it off.

Firstly, WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH ALOIS. I knew he was a bit of a pushover...a little like Grell, so I wasn't surprised at that. But I couldn't help but feel a little creeped out when he blinded Hannah with his own finger. He acts rather spoiled too. Also, the very first scene, where he's all battered and bruised and naked, sharing a bed with a crusty old man...............
What. The. Fuck.

Then, Claude. He looks like the lovechild of Will and Sebastian. That is all. :/

And dark, mysterious, oversized-suitcase-wielding figure showing up at the Trancy estate. Very obviously Sebastian, despite the attempt to make him anonymous. That kind of made me "wtf" too, though I thought "Oh, okay, he's got a cameo here. That's nice."

But then when it turned out his giant trunk was actually full of his bocchan Ciel, my brain exploded.


So here I am, on my way to watch the sub. Next post contains my 'after-thoughts'.

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Squee of the Week

I've made a move towards regulation! There's nothing like structure and organisation. So from now, I will make an effort to do a "Squee of the Week", with 'squee' being somebody squee-worthy.... Originally it was going to be anything from people to PVs but since I review songs and PVs regularly I thought I'd change it...


This week, let's focus on
Toshiya!

Toshiya is the bassist of Dir en grey. He's responsible for composing songs such as Raison d'Etre, Red...[em], Jesus Christ R'nR, Bottom of the Death Valley, and egnirys cimredopyh +)_an injection. All songs with good beats and good bass. x3

Songs in which he shines include Taiyou no Ao and Embryo, as well as the aforementioned ones.

...and this is the part where I admit that I don't like Toshiya just because of his musical capability.
Toshiya looks stunning in a dress, but equally stunning when dressing true to his gender. He has a pretty face with or without makeup (not something you see a lot, to be blunt). And for some reason, I've always really liked his nose. My dear has a nose like Toshiya's. It was one of the first things I noticed about him...

Now, I don't think I'm in any place to comment on what he's like as a person, since I don't know him or anything. So although I really like how he seemed so dorky in a lot of old videos and stuff, I'm not gonna say much more on his personality.

So that's my mini-tribute to Toshiya.
It was about time I did, I guess. He was probably the first real person to captivate my interest, and for such a long time. I've been listening to Dir en grey for seven years, and Toshiya has made me blush and giggle like a little girl for just as long. He still looks pretty darn good too, despite being an old man and stuff. xD

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