Noir ~ Blu-ray Remastered CM

Flying Dog has uploaded the CM for the soon to be released Noir BD boxset.   I wrote about it when it was first announced... here is the link to that post.  CLICK ME. :)

I love this anime.  It was this anime that I first heard Kajiura Yuki's music.  I am really tempted to get it but I won't be able to afford it now.... maybe in the future.  Meanwhile.... enjoy the CM which has Kajiura's "salva nos" as bgm. :)

cheers

Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin / Extra Chorus - will screen in Singapore :)

source: Cathay Cineplex

While hunting for information on possible screening dates for Studio Ghibli's Kaze no Tachinu, I chanced upon this page on Cathay Cinema's website.  Yes!!!!! Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin / Extra Chorus will be screening in Singapore.

I am sooooooo happy and excited I could cry.  NEVER in a MILLION years did I think that a KnK movie will screen in Singapore.  Evangelion 3 and Captain Harlock didn't even screen here.  And I think since Ponyo, no other Studio Ghibli film has screened in Singapore till they announced that Kaze no Tachinu will screen some time next year.

FINALLY.... this is really amazing news for a KnK fan and a fan of both Kajiura Yuki's music and her vocal project Kalafina.  I will not only be able to watch a KnK movie on the big screen, I would also be able to hear their music blasting over quality speakers in a nice cinema hall.... just like how it was when I watched Mahou Shoujo Madoka: The Rebellion in Japan.

Awesome news!!!!  Fans of KnK, Kajiura Yuki and Kalafina who live in Singapore... make sure you keep the 16th Jan 2014 open. :)

Since we are talking about KnK: Mirai Fukuin, I thought I would highlight something to those who don't visit ufotable's KnK website that often.  The cover art for the  DVD editions of KnK: Mirai Fukuin RE and KnK: Mirai Fukuin Extra Chorus RE have been released.

 
On the left, is Extra Chorus' RE cover art, on the right is Mirai Fukuin RE's cover art.


source: Kara no Kyoukai official website.

There are also a few sample images of the tokuten they are offering with the purchase of the BD Limited Edition but I don't know if webstores that cater to international customers will be getting any bonuses.  The tokuten will differ depending on which shop or place the BD is ordered / purchased from.

If any of you are interested in purchasing this, since I mostly use CDJapan... here are the CDJapan links for your convenience. :)  I have pre-ordered the BD set.  Will do an unboxing when it arrives. :)

Knk: Mirai Fukuin / Mirai Fukuin Extra Chorus Blu-ray with CD Limited Edition
KnK: Mirai Fukuin / Mirai Fukuin Extra Chorus DVD with CD Limited Edition
KnK: Mirai Fukuin Regular Edition
KnK: Mirai Fukuin Extra Chorus Regular Edition

cheers

Ieiri Leo (家入レオ)

Hahahaha... yes... a non Kajiura Yuki, FictionJunction, Kalafina, Mahou Shoujo Madoka blog post. :P  Yes... I know they are rare. :)

I've been wanting to write a blog post on Ieiri Leo for some time.  I first heard her when I decided to check out a link to the short version of her PV of Taiyou no Megami and I rather liked the song and how she sounded.  At that point in time, she reminded me a little of YUI whom I also like.



It was then that I found out that she came from the same music school as Ayaka and YUI did.  I talked about her a little with some friends on facebook and one of them recommended me more of Ieiri's songs and I ended up really liking her.  She no longer reminds me of YUI because her other songs don't remind me of YUI, for some reason, Taiyou no Megami did.

I really love her songs Shine and Bless You and listened to them on loop for a while. Check out the official preview versions of these two songs below.





She's young.  She's not even 20 and is pretty new in the music industry and is listed in wiki as being active from 2012 to the present.  I think she's really promising.  She writes her own songs which is probably one of the reasons why she sings them with quite a lot of passion and conviction.  And she's also pretty good live too.  Check out the following live versions.





Ieiri has quickly become my favourite female solo artist.  I've not been so in love with a solo artist since Faye Wong, Stefanie Sun and Kit Chan.  I own every single album released by these 3 singers.  I only just discovered Ieiri, so I don't own any of her CDs just yet but I have already pre-ordered her next single.

I'm really happy she's come along.  Utada Hikaru is still in hiatus, YUI's sort of still in hiatus (I'm really not sure) and Angela Aki's going on a long hiatus next year.... I was running out of solo female artists to like... then Ieiri Leo came along... and she's like a breathe of fresh air to me.

And as an indication of just how much I love Ieiri's music...

1) I have delayed my purchase of Kajiura Yuki's Rekishi Hiwa Historia soundtrack 3 till March or April. (imagine that!!!???!!!)  Well, since this is a minor Kajiura Yuki / Kalafina release and is hardly likely to come with any First Press bonuses, I decided that I'll wait before I purchase it.  I will purchase it but I need to spread out my purchases... I have a budget to keep to. :)

2) I have pre-ordered every single version of the soon to be released "Chocolate" single. :P

Okay.... I'm still not as crazy about her as I am about Kajiura Yuki, FictionJunction and Kalafina.  I ordered all versions of Kalafina's Kimi no Gin no Niwa even though each version contained exactly the same tracks. :)  Ieiri's "Chocolate" single comes with different live tracks in all 3 limited edition singles which is really the biggest reason why I ended up ordering all 3 in the end.  If they didn't contain different live tracks, I would have ended just getting one version of the single.  The price for these singles is also very reasonable.  1000 yen each for the two CD only versions and 1500 yen for the version with the DVD.  That's even cheaper than her previous releases.

The preview version of the "Chocolate" was released recently.  Check it out here.



I like the song. :)  This isn't exactly a "new" song from Ieiri.  She wrote this when she was 15, I think and she sang a live version of it in a tv program called Girl's Factory in 2012.  This is the studio release of this song which was previously unreleased.

The cover art is also out for the 3 versions of "Chocolate".

Type A

Click me for the CDJapan product page.

1. Chocolate
2. LIVE at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo 2013.11.28 part.1 (Second Dream / Last Stage / Fake Love / Shine / Ijiwaru na Kamisama / Wake you up)
3. Chocolate (instrumental)

Type B

Click me for the CDJapan product page.

1. Chocolate
2. LIVE at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo 2013.11.28 part.2 (Say Goodbye / Hello / Lady Mary / Bless You / Taiyou no Megami / Kokoro no Ka・Ta・Chi)
3. Chocolate (instrumental)

Type C (CD+DVD)



Click me for the CDJapan product page.

CD
1. Chocolate
2. LIVE at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo 2013.11.28 part.3 (Who's that / Linda / Sabrina / Kimi ni Todoke)
3. Chocolate (instrumental)

DVD
Chocolate Music Video

All the CDs will come packaged with a sticker and a hand-written comment.  Each sticker will be different for each of the 3 versions of the release.  The Type C release will come in a specially packaged box.

I think I will do an unboxing of these 3 singles when I receive them.  :)

If you, like me, like her music... then please purchase these CDs if you afford them.

Also... Sony Music Entertainment and Spacecraft etc etc... you'll probably never read this... but  I still want to say this... watching YouTube videos is how I became an Ieiri Leo fan.  That's how Kyary Pamyu Pamyu did it too.  So quit being sooooo old fashion in your approach and at the very least make short preview versions of Kalafina's PVs and make them available for international viewing.  Restricting Kalafina's videos to Japan-only only limits their reach and I really think that Kajiura Yuki and Kalafina deserves a wider audience too.  Flying Dogs doesn't limit FictionJunction's CM videos and I don't think it's adversely affected their sales.

Alrighty... I'm off for now. :)  If I'm not too tired.... I may come back and write a Kajiura Yuki or Kalafina or Mahou Shoujo Madoka or Japan post... but we'll see... I've been out all day and slept really late last night... so am a little sleep deprived.... so... we'll see. :)

cheers

Kajiura Yuki's Kalafina Christmas gingerbread house

今日の楽屋差し入れは、ヘクセンハウス•Kalafina。勿論自分で作ったのではありません。特注品でござる。 pic.twitter.com/xObmhhnNjr
— 梶浦由記 Yuki Kajiura (@Fion0806) December 23, 2013

Check this out... Kajiura Yuki specially ordered a gingerbread house with Kalafina written on it.  I want to eat this. :P

elemental ~ FictionJunction - cover art

Since I finally have time to blog... I decided to do a quick check before I head to bed to see if the cover art for FictionJunction's soon to be released album has been released yet and I found it on several websites.

Somehow, this seems soooo Kajiura Yuki. :)

This is the track list from amazon.jp too.

1. elemental

2. storytelling

3. ひとりごと

4. 時の向こう 幻の空 (※TVアニメ「おおかみかくし」OPテーマ)

5. ひとみのちから

6. storm

7. eternal blue (※KONAMI「戦律のストラタス」主題歌)

8. stone cold (※TVアニメ「セイクリッドセブン」OPテーマ)

9. 野原

10. Parallel Hearts (※TVアニメ「PandoraHearts」OPテーマ)

11. 凱歌

12. 約束

13. Distance (※「機動戦士ガンダムSEED HDリマスター」 EDテーマ)

Tracks 1. element , 2. storytelling and 11. gaika are the new songs.   The other songs have been released in other singles before. Track 6. storm is the self cover song.

As always... please purchase this album if you can afford it. :)

Here is the link for your convenience. :) 

FictionJunction ~ elemental album

Good night... and Merry Christmas again. :)

Yuki Kajiura LIVE vol7 FICTION pamphlet ~ ebook - review

As promised... finally... a blog post. :)  Since it's past midnight... here is my Christmas gift to all who drop by my blog and who like Kajiura Yuki's music. :)

Yup... I purchased one of the just released Yuki Kajiura LIVE pamphlets that has just been released in ebook format.  I wanted to see what it looked like and thought that it would be something some of you may find useful should you also wish to purchase one of these ebooks.  Also, I really am a huge Kajiura Yuki fand and I don't mind purchasing the Live pamphlets that I don't currently own.  Since I had some points in my account that I could use, I decided to use them and so it didn't cost me anything to get this particular pamphlet. :)

According to CDJapan, the ebook can be downloaded and viewed on the Neowing ebook reader which is available  for download for the Android and iOS devices.  It's also available for the PC but the ebook can only be read if you have Japanese fonts enabled on your PC.  There is currently no MAC version available.

Here's what all this means.  You can download and view this ebook on your PC but you must have Japanese fonts installed on your computer.  So IF you do not have an Android device or iOS device like the iPhone etc, then you will not be able to view this ebook if you do not have Japanese fonts installed.  I tested it and, unfortunately, that is true.  I am unable to view this ebook on my PC because I do not have Japanese fonts installed.  What this means is, I think you need to have the Japanese version of Windows to view the ebook on your PC.

Strangely, I was able to read my previously purchased manga using the PC ebook reader.  But I am unable to open the Yuki Kajiura Live pamplet using the same reader.  I think that the way they are creating these ebooks is different from the way they created them for the manga.  Well... it doesn't really matter to me in the end since I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 and a Nexus 7 tablet.  Both run the Android software, so that's not a problem for me.

I used my Nexus 7 tablet to view this pamphlet and took some screenshots for the blog.  This Live pamphlet is 24 pages long, inclusive of the front and the back.  It used to retail on the Spacecraft webstore for 2500yen but is no longer available for purchase.  It cost only 1750yen on CDJapan.

In my opinion, this is a good thing for international fans.  The Spacecraft Webstore is not the easiest of webstores to navigate and order from.  Trust me, it took me some time just to input the correct address.  I think you have to be Japanese, live in Japan or understand how Japanese addresses work etc to be able to do it with ease.  Also, the webstore sometimes refused to work which is why the proxy service I tried to use told me they could not successfully place an order, hence, forcing me to do it myself.  So, in short, it is quite a hassle to order from the Spacecraft Webstore.

Also, the Spacecraft webstore charges 700yen minimum for shipping.  Hence, this very same pamphlet that I just purchased for 1750yen would cost 2500+700=3200 yen even if I shipped it to an address in Japan.  Yup, it is A LOT cheaper to get it in ebook format.

It's also easy to store ebooks.  This is something that would my my mother very happy since she's been complaining that I have too many books in my room. :)

And, reading this ebook isn't hard at all because you can zoom in and the text still shows up nicely on my Nexus.



These are screen captures of the same page.  This is Kajiura Yuki's foreword for this pamphlet.  The first image is of the same page at 100% on the Nexus.  The next image is of the same foreword zoomed out to see the full two page spread.  And the 3rd screen capture is zoomed in, to enlarge the text for easier reading.

Another good thing about this is that an ebook will probably be available for sale for a very long time since they don't have to do any re-prints at all and these ebooks do not take up much hard drive space.  So if you don't buy this ebook today, it'll probably still be there tomorrow, or next month or next year.

There are a few negatives for fans though.  Firstly, this is tied to the Neowing ebook reader and is saved on your computer in the .ibe format.  I don't know much about other devices but I don't think you can put this on the Kindle or something similar.  And should CDJapan cease to exist in the future... hmmmm.... that means no more unlimited downloads of your purchase product.  So you should make a backup somewhere I suppose.

Also, if you like books like I do, you're not going to be completely satisfied with an ebook.  I LOVE books.  I love how they feel, I love how they smell, I love the paper and I even love good binding.  That is why, I LOVE a lot of Kajiura Yuki's live pamphlets in recent years. The binding and the choice of paper etc... so exquisite and this cannot be replicated in an ebook.  I can't feel the embossed patterns on some of these pamplets and I can't feel the fabric she used on at least one of her pamphlets, nor can I smell the paper.  Yes... I know it sounds weird but those who love books will understand. :)

All in all though, I am mighty pleased with this development.  I hope that they will release more of the pamphlets in the future for fans who aren't able to pick up the physical books themselves.  Obviously, I would love to still buy the physical books if I do attend the lives etc but if I can't, them I am happy to be able to buy the ebook too.

Okay, back to the vol7 pamphet itself, instead of generic comments about the pros and cons of these ebooks.

This 24 page pamplet opens with a foreword from Kajiura Yuki and then a few lyrics pages of the songs which use Kajiuran.  They are lotus, Credens justitiam, the image theme of Xenosaga II (live ver.) and Zodiacal Sign (live ver.).  Each of these lyrics pages have photos of FictionJunction and/or Kajiura Yuki featured on them.



Doesn't Kajiura Yuki look soooooo very cool in the image above? :)

After that each of the vocalist in FictionJunction gets a two page spread.  There is also a 2 page montage spread of the FJ vocalists and Kajiura Yuki.  Then the musicians get a third of a single page per musician.  And the pamphlet ends with two more pages of the Front Band Members talking about Kajiura Yuki and then two more pages of credits.

I don't know if this is a purchase for everyone but I think if you're a big fan, especially one who can read Japanese, then these ebooks are something to consider.  Personally, if I ran a website devoted to Kajiura Yuki and her vocal projects, I would love to buy ALL the ebooks because screen capturing pages for the website is soooo much easier than trying to shoot photos or messing with the binding to do scans.  While some people are okay with flattening their books etc... um... I really don't like doing it, hence, the less than desirable cel phone photos of the pamphlets. :P

I may buy the Yuki Kajiura Live vol.4 ebook too since I don't own that yet.  If I do I'll do another review like this.  Actually, I kind want to get the Kalafina photo ebooks too even though I already own the physical copies but that's probably something I won't get for sometime because I don't really have a good reason to get them except that I think having them in digital format is kinda nice too. :P

Finally... as always... something for those who, like me, love Keiko best in Kalafina. :P



That's it for now. :)

Please purchase this or another Kajiura Yuki / FictionJunction / Kalafina ebook if you can afford it.  If you want to see more of them, then you should purchase them to indicate that there is a market for these ebooks.  So if you like them and can afford to buy them.... please do. CLICK ME to go to the product page on CDJapan.

Okay... time for bed. :)  I wish all who chance upon this post, a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  :)

p.s.
Please feel free to share the screen captures etc... but please provide a link back to this post. It would make me happy. Thanks. :)

Kalafina & Yuki Kajiura's eBooks now available on CDJapan

I really need to rush... have to dash to work.  Been very busy and tired but will probably be able to return home at a reasonable time today.... it is Christmas Eve after all. :)  Will blog tonight. :)

But real quick cuz I'm quite interested in this development. :)

About a day or two ago, CDJapan posted up a link to purchase older Kajiura Yuki and Kalafina concert pamphlets in the ebook format.  This is pretty cool because that means that you won't have to pay for shipping.

Anyway... what I feel are pros and cons later.  I need to dash.... but for those who are interested... check this link out.  CLICK ME.

Figure JAPAN: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Edition ~ soon to be released

Before I go to bed, I would like to highlight this upcoming release to Mahou Shoujo Madoka fans who may not know about this yet.

Months ago, this item popped up on CDjapan and I've had it on pre-order ever since.  What I didn't know then was the Figure JAPAN is a new magazine that is being published by one my my favourite Japanese figure making / distributing companies, the Good Smile Company.  This magazine by GSC will feature one anime every issue and will include a figure with each issue.  Happily for me, the first issue will feature the Mahou Shoujo Madoka anime and comes with a really nice looking 1/10th scale figure of Ultimate Madoka. :) :)

According to the Figure Japan webpage. there will be a full catalogue of available figures and photos of the figures and other figure-related news. :)  Sounds good from a figure collector's perspective. :)

At that point in time, the few photos available look like this and I'm not sure how people were that interested in it.....



But since this release will be released on the 20th Dec, I did some digging around recently and found way nice photos of this figure. :)

source: Figure Japan

Click the link under the picture of Ultimate Madoka to see even more photos of this beautiful figure.  I might do an unboxing of it when it arrives. :)  It'll probably arrive next year though because I chose SAL which can take some time to come.

For those of you who are huge Madoka fans like I am, I think this is a purchase you can really consider. :)

If you want to purchase it from CDJapan, here is the link... click me.

Okay... now it is off to bed for me. :)  Good night. :)

Kalafina Live Tour 2013 "Consolation" Special Final Blu-ray ~ unboxing

Woohoo... looked what arrived in the mail today!! :)  Yup, it's the BD of the Kalafina "Consolation" Special Final Live. :) :)  I didn't expect to get it on the day of the release since it has to be mailed to me.  YAY CDJapan!! :)

I'm sooooooo tired but I will do this unboxing because I'm really excited about getting it. I would have loved to have attended this live but I was unable to so am super happy that we have a BD release. :)

Very picture heavy because I desperately need sleep. :P

  

First up... the above are photos of the two postcards that come with the purchase of the BD / DVD from CDJapan.

And here are the rest of the photos of this release.

       

This is a pretty standard BD release.  It uses the standard blue casing and standard covers and inserts etc.  I counted 22 pages, excluding the front and back covers, for the insert booklet.  I has several nice photos of the trio.  I accidentally left out one of the 2 page spread of photos of the trio.  The booklet contains the set list, the lyrics and the credit pages and the photos of Kalafina at the live.

And that's really about it for this release.  I haven't watched it yet.  I intend to do it but maybe on the weekend, I don't think I'll get to it during the week because I'm almost certain I'll be putting in some serious OT all the way till Christmas Eve. :(

Anyway, please buy this release if you can afford it.  There is also a DVD release which I didn't purchase.  But I think it should be more or less the same as this BD. :)

Here are the links to the product pages. :)

LIVE TOUR 2013 "Consolation" Special Final  Blu-ray
LIVE TOUR 2013 "Consolation" Special Final  DVD

Also, CDJapan is currently running a Double Extra Points campaign, so now will be a good time to purchase this item if you're already thinking of getting it.

And finally, I leave you with a close-up photo of Keiko's solo photo from the booklet. :D



cheers :)

Rekishi Hiwa Historia ~ soundtrack 3 listed

soundtrack 2's cover art

Real quick update.  This soundtrack has now been listed.  For those who are Kalafina fans, if I read this correctly, I think this soundtrack  includes a new recording of the tv version of Kalafina's "storia".

For Kajiura Yuki fans, the entire album is Kajiura Yuki's music. :)

Anyway... here you go... this is the CDJapan link to the product page.  Click me.  These are usually pretty low key releases for Kajiura Yuki and Kalafina, so it's unlike that we'll be getting any kind of first press freebies.  I do like the music from this documentary, very new age sounding.  I already own the first two and will order this this soon. :)

Okay... off to bed... it has been a very tiring 2 weeks and I can barely stay awake... good night.....zzzzzzzzzz......

Rekishi Hiwa Historia soundtrack 3 ~ Kajiura Yuki, Kalafina

source

Sony Music and Kalafina's official website announced last night that there will be another new Kajiura Yuki / Kalafina release.  Kajiura Yuki has been writting the OST for the NHK historical documentary, Rekishi Hiwa Historia, for some time and there have two previous OST releases.  Kalafina sings the opening, ending themes for these documentaries too.

This is schedules for a 19th Feb 2014 release and will include the TV version of the Kalafina song "storia".  I don't think there will be a new Kalafina song for this series.  At least they didn't mention any.

It hasn't been listed on CDJapan yet... when it does get listed.... I'll put it up.  For now... time to get ready for work... very busy these two weeks. :(  But happy to read about a new release. :)

I scoot Singapore ~ video - cute :)

Oh.... another lovely video about Singapore.... my homeland. :)  I love it. :)  While so many documentaries and commentaries like to concentrate on either the economic success of Singapore or comment disparagingly about the lack of "freedom" blah blah blah about my sunny country... not many shows us Singapore as just Singapore... and this is so charmingly done too. :)

Sure Singapore isn't perfect, no country is, but I am one of those who chose to return and I sure like living here. :)

Oh... also... here's a tilt-shift video on Singapore... it's not new but it's really awesome stuff. :)



Okay... time to dash to work... it's been a tiring week and this will continue till, at the very least, the end of this week... been keeping up with Kajiura Yuki's, FJ's and Kalafina's news on twitter but no time to write anything up.... :(  Awesome good news about Kalafina's guest appearance on NHK World and Animax  (*need to double check that I got the names of the programmes right etc)...YAY!!! ... but no time for individual posts...

Gosh... look at the time... got to go. :)  Have a good week everyone. :)