I know I’m the laziest person on earth, as you can see I finally did something to my site.. after six months blogging. But after reading houkoholic’s comment in j1m0ne’s blog (and partly motivated by Trickster’s godly a capella), I finally did what I’ve planned to do since long time ago: rip Nana’s acoustic sessions from the live DVDs..

..and I’m sharing it here. I sorta gave up and accepted the fact that a lot of ‘fans’ don’t really support their idols.. so here I am, for the first (and last?) time, hosting an illegal d/l lol. Hopefully this will encourage them to buy the DVD (if they haven’t)..

So yeah, simply right-click and save here (109 MB).

TrackList are in order of time of performance, starting from Nana’s first acoustic session in Live Rainbow 2005 until the latest Live Formula 2008, with the exception of track 5 and 6 (studio lives from The Museum DVD).

1. Independent Love Song
2. Brilliant Star
3. Orgol to Piano to (オルゴールとピアノと)
4. Takaramono (宝物)
5. Tears’ Night
6. Ano Hi Yumemita Negai (あの日夢見た願い)
7. Hikari (光)
8. Suichuu no Aozora (水中の青空)
9. Last Scene (ラストシーン)
10. Crystal Letter

Notes:
- My favorite tracks are Takaramono, Tears’ Night, and Crystal Letter. I love how she put all her emotions to singing.. I’d be moved to tears if I were there.
- If you note something is weird, here’s why: track 1 and 2 are originally Dolby Digital (AC3). Good thing that the rest are LPCM.
- Songs are encoded in MP3 VBR (256kbps). Do tell me if the quality sucks –I’m having a cold now so my ears aren’t working as usual. I think some songs crackles on the high notes, maybe because I increased the standard volume while ripping, otherwise it’d be really low. Anyone experienced pls suggest me a good ripper..

Anyway, enjoy the album!

PS. Will pay more attention to layout.. sometime soon. Uploaded a new avatar batch~ ron’s moe avatars don’t suit the sort of rubbish I’m talking about here ^^; Also added an ‘about‘ page because people start to mistake me as a guy.. which is understandable (?) LOL ^^;

I just saw it on Yahoo! Auction, and had no idea what it was until I googled it.. apparently it’s a seiyuu interactive DVD game created in 2001, starring 3 seiyuu Tanaka Rie (with weird hair but very pretty), Shishido Rumi (is she still alive?), Toyoguchi Megumi, and many other seiyuu, adding up to 50 names! Including Mizuki Nana (!!), Kawakami Tomoko, Orikasa Ai, Ikezawa Haruna, Iizuka Mayumi, Kimura Madoka, and a fair share of male seiyuu like Shinichiro Miki, Chiba Shigeru, etc (not interested :P).

The gameplay should be like normal interactive DVD, choosing options to get different endings…

…
…
…hang on, where did I see something (extremely) ridiculous featuring about the same seiyuu line-up?

So THAT stupid PV was from this game? O_o; Amazon still has a new copy for 5,775 yen so can someone please buy one for me? T_T

Edit: After watching the PV again (and again), it strucked me that those seiyuu must really not get paid well enough (especially in 2001) that they wanted to do something out of their talent as stupid as interactive DVD game. ^^; Poor them.

The misleading sticker on the box.. if you’re reading this, Sony, it’s not enough to stop importers. xD

All you need is a universal (or Jp/Au) socket adapter.

So I proudly present…..

“the thing to play Live Fighter bluray next year” xD

..yap, that was the only reason I got it.

This event calendar actually serves as a travel guide for myself.. so it’s seriously messy and confusing. Don’t bother reading, just wait for the reports later
..if I manage to go there.

I’ll be missing NHK Anime-kan 2008 by one day (or 13 hours to be exact), which got Allison & Lillia talk show with Mizuki Nana and Noto Mamiko.. Talk about luck, heh. Well, not that I could have gotten a ticket by the time I knew about the event (which is kinda relieving).

JUMP Expo ‘08
July 19 ~ August 17. 9:00~17:00.
Jump Island, Yugiahama beach, Kamakura (here?)
- 40th anniversary of Shonen Jump.
- Dragon Ball week starts from August 10-17. Too bad I missed One Piece week, but definitely better than Naruto week.

Gundam EXPO Tokyo 2008
August 12~17. 10:00~18:00.
Sunshine City, Bunka Kaikan 2F Exhibition Hall D. Free entrance.
- Sells event-only stuffs, a lot of screening.
- Gundam 00 BRD/DVD commemoration event @13:00 with guests: Yoshino Hiroyuki (8.12), Miki Shinichiro (8.13), Miyano Mamoru (8.14), Irino Miyu/Kamiya Hiroshi (8.15). They will hand Gundam posters in person to lucky 100 buyers (for each day). I would never buy the thing, btw.

Robot Anime EXPO
August 7~26. 10:00~20:00.
Fukuya Dept 8F, Hiroshima. Ticket 600yen (door).
- Figure display, screening, etc.

Comiket 74
August 15~17. 10:00~16:00.
Tokyo Big Sight. Free entrance. Cosplay registration 800yen.
- Need no introduction, maybe the biggest anime-related event in the world with half a million of sweaty otakus and ten-thousands pr0n doujinshi circles and official booths. Many awesome cosplay.

Anime Japan Fes 2008 - I only bought ticket to midnight cosplay live.
- August 15 @18:00: “Anison Joshi-bu Natsu Matsuri”
with Horie Mitsuko, Kingetsu Mami (!), Yonekura Chihiro, etc
- August 16 @16:00: “Superhero Tamashii 2008 Natsu no Jin”
with Mizuki Ichirou, PSYCHIC LOVER, Endoh Masaaki, etc
- August 16 @23:30: “Yakaina Nakamatachi 2008”
with Kageyama Hironobu, Endoh Masaaki, Kitadani Hiroshi, Ushima Yoshifumi, Oumi Tomoe, Ogata Megumi, Okui Masami, OTAKU NOT DEAD, Kuribayashi Minami, Hata Aki, PSYCHIC LOVER, Fukuyama Hiroshi, Misato Aki, Miyauchi Takayuki, Washizaki Takeshi, Wada Koji
- August 17 @16:00: “Super Anison Tamashii 2008 Natsu no Jin”
performers similar to Superhero Tamashii.
- All events in Zepp Tokyo, ticket 5,500yen each.

Nakayoshi Festival 2008
August 20~31. 10:00~19:00.
Kodansha 1F K-Square. Free entrance.
- I recall Nakayoshi was boooring. A visit won’t hurt, though.
- PEACH-PIT (Shugo Chara!) autograph session on August 23.

Sunday Kingdom.
August 24. 09:00~16:00.
Shinjuku NS Building B1 Event Hall.
- 50th anniversary of Weekly Shonen Sunday.
- Limited goods. Seiyuu talkshow and “special attractions” to be informed in Shonen Sunday #58 (out August 20). Damn.

C3X Hobby Festival
August 30~31. 10:00~17:00.
Makuhari Messe Hall 9, 10, 11. Ticket 1,500yen (door).
- Figurine exhibition. Product launching.
- For seiyuu events below, numbered tickets are distributed in the appointed day.. in order of arrival? I skip those hopeless lottery-based tickets.
Gundam00 (talk). 8.30 @13:00. Irino Miyu. Miyano Mamoru.
Sweet Ignition (talk). 8.31 @13:00 Iwata Mitsuo. Suzumura Kenichi.
Kurogane no Linebarrel (screening). 8.31 @14:00. Kakihara Tetsuya. Noto Mamiko. Nakamura Yuuichi. Fukuyama Jun.
Tales of Abyss (talk). 8.31 @15:00. Suzuki Chihiro. Yukana. Matsumoto Yasunori.
Gundam00 (talk, screening). 8.31 @16:00. Miyano Mamoru, etc.

Animelo Summer Live 2008: Challenge
August 30~31 @16:00. Saitama Super Arena. SOLD OUT.

Not going but listing anyway.

TBS Anime Festa 2008
August 16 @13:00. August 17 @11:00.
B-Civic Hall. Ticket 2,500yen.
- Mini live featuring OP/ED songs and seiyuu talkshow. Very tempted to go but maybe too late.
Hidamari Sketch x365. Asumi Kana, Gotou Yuuko, Shintani Ryoko, Mizuhashi Kaori
ToLoveRu. Tomatsu Haruka, Watanabe Akeno, Yahagi Sayuri, Arai Satomi
xxxHolic Kei. Oohara Sayaka, Itou Shizuka, Kikuchi Mika
CLANNAD. Nakahara Mai, Nakamura Yuuichi, Inoue Kikuko
Singers. Anna, Lia

Gundam00 x CodeGeass GO!GO!5 FES’08.
August 16~17. Nippon Budoukan. Ticket 4,800yen.
- Seiyuu talkshow and OP/ED live.
Gundam00. Miyano Mamoru (Setsuna). Miki Shinichirou (Lockon). Yoshino Hiroyuki (Allelujah). Kamiya Hiroshi (Tieria). the brilliant green. Stephanie. Taja.
CodeGeass. Fukuyama Jun (Lelouch). Sakurai Takahiro (Suzaku). Yukana (CC). Koshimizu Ami (Kallen). ORANGE RANGE. ALI PROJECT. Sunset Swish. FLOW. Jinn.

Kawada Mami Live Tour 2008 SAVIA. August 16. August 17. Ticket 4725yen.
NicoNico Summer Live August 23. Differ Ariake. Lottery ticket.
Endoh Masaaki Birthday Live 2008. August 28. eggman. SOLD OUT.

Many sales commemoration event. I buy most of these but could never get the lottery-based tickets.. every time I see the event lottery slip inside CD cases.. I feel so jealous to Jap fans. T_T No wonder they never drop the crazy price.. people would still buy for these events. I want OtaEri’s promised kiss too.. <3
- marble. Ryuusei Record (Hidamari Sketch ED Single). August 23.
- Shintani Ryoko. Medalist Live DVD. August 23.
- Iizuka Mayumi. Stories (CD Album + DVD). August 16, 17, 23, 24.
- Kitamura Eri. REALIZE (CD Single). August 24 @12:00. 14:00. 17:00.
- Takahashi Mikako. SUMMER PRINCESS (CD mini-album). August 24, 31.
- Ayane. Elephant Notes (CD Album). August 30.
- fripSide. flower of bravery (Koihime Musou Single). August 30.

Did anyone buy the CD?

I totally forgot about it, as I’ve stopped watching Shugo Chara! past episode 13. I could stand one whole season of cool-and-spicy-ness because Hoshina Utau’s first single was great (Blue Moon!) and because she looks like a shoujo version of Fate. *ahem* Nanotard speaking here.

I’ve listened to both version of BLACK DIAMOND. I prefer the major arrangement, it feels more.. dramatic compared to the indies one. Pretty good, it’s Nana’s voice after all, so definitely putting this to the shopping list. I still remember the pain when I delayed to order Meikyuu Butterfly and the limited edition ran out the next day. -_- I still see it in Yahoo! Auction for 5000+ yen. But I don’t think BLACK DIAMOND will be as successful as the predecessor.. :-/

Anyway, I’m going to Japan in a few days. Staying for Comiket (uhm, I might put my weeaboo cosplay pics.. or not), laughing/drooling on Yakai na Nakamatachi, and of course, enjoying the two best days of my life: Animelo. And so, this idiotic blog is on hiatus now.. ^_^

..and also Mishima’s, actually, but I dunno how old he is now because I don’t give a damn about that lucky bastard. I’m sure fans who follow Nana and Yukarin would have recognized him as the not-so-appealing guy who appears almost everywhere in their making of DVDs.

And so, the story was Nana tricked both of them, asking Suara to come for “Mishima’s birthday party” and did the same for Mishima. That night Nana and Suara wore yukata, I wish I could get a bigger picture than the one in Nana’s blog so I didn’t have to force my poor eyes to see it. And I saw crews cosplaying as Nanoha (is that Mika-chan?) and Fate. Okay, so Nana has access to Fate’s barrier jacket.. ahem.

Anyway, the party was 2 days ago but Suara’s birthday is today.. So, happy birthday, Suara-chan! (ﾉ￣∇￣)ﾉ~~ Wishing her for a better year (and maybe a couple of kilos). Btw, her newest album will be out in 3 weeks. Buy it, people.

I haven’t seen any this season’s anime episodes because, as you might know, my internet connection runs slower than Yamabuki Art’s headmaster. Well, at least that also means I got more time to finish a shitload of manga, fix my cosplay costumes, and sort my (unrealistic) shopping list for next month’s Japan trip.

Anyway, I tried to list out a comparison of online stores I’ve been using to waste my paychecks buy Japanese CD/DVD. I’m that bored. Please note that the list is based on my experience and preference. Ratings are out of 5.

1. CDJapan

+ The only store that guarantees you a first-press edition with bonuses
+ Ship pre-orders before the release date
+ Detailed item information (track list, sometimes with samples)
+ Use your own affiliate link (awesome!)
+ Use bubble-wrap in a box and treat posters nicely
+ Comprehensive listing of old and new stuffs
+ Count towards Oricon chart
- Expensive shipping, I think it’s including handling fee.
- Rarely on sale.. and if they do, most of them are useless stuffs

Point system:
Earn 3% of item price subtotal as points (3 pts every 100 yen)
Extra 30% of the points for large order more than 10,000yen.
Applied in small units of 100 points = 100yen, you can use it faster.

Current events:
- Coupon campaign
- DVD and CD clearance sale

My rating:
My first choice for new stuffs because I prefer limited crap to good food. Only 4 Chikas given because it’s still expensive.

2. HMV Japan

+ Delicious special offers: Multi-buys or bungee price
+ Low “HMV price” that applies to old/new stuffs randomly
+ Cheaper EMS shipping, but not boxed
+ Detailed item information (track list, sometimes with samples)
+ Comprehensive listing of old and new stuffs
+ Count towards Oricon chart
- At risk of getting broken CD cases
- They fold posters! IF you’re lucky enough to get them
- Yep, no guarantee on first-press
- EMS only for international shipping

Point system:
1 point worths 500yen.
Redeem value: 50 pts for 1,000yen and 100 pts for 2,500yen.
Spend about 25,000yen for 50 pts = 4 pts every 100yen
Spend about 50,000yen for 100 pts = 5 pts every 100yen
A better deal than CDJapan, but it takes longer to use them. There are double-point offers, but no points earned from priced-down items.

Current events:
- The list is too long
- 2 Music DVDs at 25% off campaign is awesome

My rating:
I’m a girl. I buy things I don’t need just because they are on sale.
And I’d give another loli if they can let me use boxes.

3. Play-Asia

+ “$10 off $50″ coupons
+ One “$5 off $50″ coupon arrives with your order
+ Cheaper shipping fee since it’s Hong Kong based
+ Sell Hong Kong versions (half-price cheaper, but I never bothered)
- Don’t even think about first-press edition, unless you’re lucky
- (Almost) no stock for things older than 2004
- Terrible search system and item details
- Do NOT count towards Oricon chart
- No point system

Current events:
- Summer Sale 25% ends today. Don’t worry, it’s worse than CDJ sale.
- Make one “$10 off $50″ coupon per 5 junk posts per month in StrikeBang forum

My rating:
The coupons are godsent. But I never buy anything new here because I still like the sound of “Oricon +1″.

4. Amazon Japan

+ Discount for new items
+ Still have a fresh copy of old stuffs
+ If they don’t, private sellers might have it.
+ Count towards Oricon chart
- Unreasonable shipping and handling fee, srsly
- No guarantee on first-press
- Some private sellers set crazy price and might be unreliable

Point system:
1 point equals 1 pts. Normally you earn 1% per CD (1 pts every 100yen). No points from discounted live DVD.
Although users can apply any amount anytime, it’s so little and useless I don’t even care.

My rating:
Except for seiyuu magazines, no.

5. YesAsia

+ Free international shipping (airmail only)
+ Sell Hong Kong and Korean versions
+ Comprehensive listing of old and new stuffs
+ Detailed item information
- Higher item price, maybe because they add the shipping fee to it? –;
- Very slow processing, exceed the promised date.. I even forgot that I ordered the thing.
- Do NOT count towards Oricon chart
- No point system

My rating:
Only if I’m really desperate.

To make matters worse, Nana Clips 4 was stuck with Aussie customs so I had to fly back home without it. Mood is slightly better after I ordered another copy, coming here in about 2 days. News on Nana’s 18th single to be released near my birthday and her upcoming BluRay totally made my day too. I just need to get my hand on PS3 and 5.1 speakers.. right.

Another Animelo Update

I just checked Animelo website again after a looooong time. I was disappointed enough with AAA ruining my perfect 8/30 line-up (ignoring the Zettai Karen girls), but rejoice, it’s Lia we’re talking about here. I was really amazed the first time I listened to her “crystal voice” in Aozora… but to be honest, I haven’t checked her other works, except that and the School Rumble insert songs.

New artists from my last update:

August 31 - ave;new feat Sakura Saori (1st Animelo)

Not really well-known for western fans, I guess.. their songs are mainly used in adult PC games.
Songs:
- Nursery Rhyme (OP, ED): true my heart, Dearness
- angel breath (game): just be with you

August 30 - AAA (1st Animelo)

ATTACK ALL AROUND! …..whatever.
Songs:
- World Destruction (OP): ZERO
- ….do I care? no.

August 31 - Lia (1st Animelo)

Songs:
- AIR (OP, IN): Tori no Uta, Aozora
- Gunslinger Girl II (ED): doll, human
- Initial D 4th Stage (BGM): ALL AROUND, SKY HIGH

Theme song singers (CD)

..so they did leave people out. Here’s the list, copied from the website:

ALI PROJECT, Ishikawa Chiaki, Ishida Yoko, ELISA, GRANRODEO, Kuribayashi Minami, PSYCHIC LOVER, savage genius, JAM Project（Kageyama Hironobu, Endoh Masaaki、Kitadani Hiroshi, Okui Masami, Fukuyama Yoshiki), Suara, Chihara Minori, Hirano Aya, Misato Aki, Mizuki Nana, May’n, Momoi Halko, Yonekura Chihiro

Ee… not sure why I made this blog, since I suck at writing and don’t really have anything to say anyway.. I guess this blog gonna end up to be literally a shopping log with lotsa fangirl rant. So yeah, you have been warned~