Warui Review: Motteke! Sailor Fuku Re-mix 001

Single by: Aya Hirano, Emiri Katou, Kaori Fukuhara, and Aya Endo
Released: August 8, 2007
Format: Maxi
Genre: Single
Label: Lantis

Track listing

1. “Motteke! Sailor Fuku” [Chōshi Koite Gyokusai Mix] (もってけ！セーラーふく【調子こいて玉砕ミックス】, Motteke! Sērā Fuku [Chōshi Koite Gyokusai Mikkusu])

2. “Motteke! Sailor Fuku” [Metabo Taisaku Mix] (もってけ！セーラーふく【メタボ対策Mix】, Motteke! Sērā Fuku [Metabo Taisaku Mix])

3. “Motteke! Sailor Fuku” [Nako no Hito on the floor mix] (もってけ！セーラーふく【中の人on the floor mix】, Motteke! Sērā Fuku [Naka no Hito on the floor mix])

4. “Motteke! Sailor Fuku” [-Undakada~Kyō no Yabō-] (もってけ！セーラーふく【-うんだかだ～教の野望-】, Motteke! Sērā Fuku [-Undakada~Kyō no Yabō-])

5. “Motteke! Sailor Fuku” [Glucosa Mix] (もってけ！セーラーふく【グルコサミっくす】, Motteke! Sērā Fuku [Gurukosa Mikkusu])

6. “Motteke! Sailor Fuku” [Matsuri Mix!] (もってけ！セーラーふく【祭みっくす！】, Motteke! Sērā Fuku [Matsuri Mikkusu!])

7. “Motteke! Sailor Fuku” [Seishun orz Mix] (もってけ！セーラーふく【青春orzミックス】, Motteke! Sērā Fuku [Seishun orz Mikkusu])

This one has been out for a while, but this is a single that was long overdue for a sampling. The CD comes with seven unique remixes for almost every style of dance, electronica, video game music that has distinct appeal for music lovers and potentially those who just appreciate awesome remixes that get. And let me tell you, these remixes are made of pure win. Not to mention, the cover design begs to be given a listen. Those who were raving about the Lucky☆Star OP when the first episode was aired will WANT to add this CD to their collection.

The only drawback from purchasing a single like this is that you REALLY have to like the Lucky☆Star OP as is. Without that appreciation for high-pitched seiyuu-driven songs, casual listeners, no matter how much they like J-pop, are sure to threaten to slit your throat if you don’t turn it off. Also, Minoru Shiraishi makes another appearance that adds a bit of extra fun to an already upbeat song that’s sure to make you smile. If you don’t like him, then just stay away from it. It’s still good. Personally, if I were into making step charts for DDR/ITG simulators, I would make them immediately for most, if not all, of the songs on this single. Perfect for any anime dance party when not played back-to-back, this is a Lucky☆Star fan’s music dream that is worth the investment.

For a sample (and my favorite of the songs), see the linked song in the track listing. It made me laugh out loud for being such an unexpected, yet sweet remix.

Rating (of 5): ☆☆☆☆

Thanks to Wikipedia for track listing.

Manganovel: A Global Interactive Solution For Manga-Readers

Press Release: World’s First Interactive Japanese Manga Web Service Creates Community of ”Reader-Translators”

The recently established company owned by Toshiba Corporation, Manganovel, offers readers an opportunity download and translate Japanese manga into their respective language at the cost of a tankoubon purchase in Japan (around $4-$5). Those who submit a translation using Manganovel’s Viewer application can make it available for free, or for 2% of the manga’s original price. Choosing the latter enables those reader-translators to receive up to 50% of the royalties of those who download the entire manga with the Translated data submitted. Registration is free, and there are free manga to whet your appetite if you are not interested in translating.

Pretty awesome deal if you ask me. If anyone needs more incentive than simply being able to watch anime without subtitles, this is a good time to dust off that Japanese textbook and make use of those flashcards you made when self-teaching sounded like a good idea. Easy money for indulging in the media you love while increasing Japanese proficiency? Why the heck not?!

I can really see this going places within the many manga licensing companies within the US and Europe. However, with all the legalities involved with organizing the proper rights to those who have spent time to offer accurate translations — that is, if licensing companies actually trust and use an outsider’s translation — I believe that this proper integration is still a while away. Manganovel could and should very well stand on its own over time, but I highly doubt that, at the very least, those licensing companies will ignore yet another method to determine what consumers of manga are interested in reading based on a title’s downloaded statistics and reviews. Now all we need is a subsidary of Manganovel called Animevisual™ that incorporates a similar business model of exchange, allowing registered users to download High-Definition raw anime for a reasonable price, have a Viewer application that allows them to easily input customized subtitles, then reupload it back for people to watch, and possibly make a few bucks for their efforts. That would be epic.

One more thing. Does anyone else see a heavy facial resemblance to Sakura Kinomoto from Cardcaptor Sakura in Manganovel’s mascot, Manove? I mean, even her hairband looks like the head of her Clow Wand. I wonder if CLAMP knows about this. Teehee. On a completely related note, I really like her shoes.

A Day In the Life of A Japanese Visual Culture Otaku

Well…maybe not really, but it is how I lived my life today…and I am a japanese visual culture otaku. So, it works…somehow. Yeah.