Madoka Magica omiyage :)

The same friend who helped me buy that really cool transparent Madoka Magica poster also bought me a box of omiyage. :)

I don't think I can get to the unboxing of the Madoka Magica BD LE set tonight so I thought I would just do a short mobile blog post on this box of cookies. :) It was a post I that I wanted to do earlier but never got around to. :)







I quite like these cookies... they taste like green tea flavoured polvoron. Tasty. :)

I kept the box of course. :p

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Madoka Magica Blu-ray Limited Edition arrived!!

Finally!!!! This finally arrived in the mail today at work. I cannot wait to open it and take photos etc.

I don't know if I can do it tonight because I won't be home till quite late and I am working and out late again tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to get to this by Saturday night. :)

A very Ghibli month in Singapore :)

This has been an amazing month for anime fans, especially those of us who love Studio Ghibli's films.  While Encore Films announced late last year that they would be bringing in Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises), what really made this a truly amazing month was a series of films by Miyazaki Hayao that Golden Village screened over a one week period before the opening of Kaze Tachinu.

I managed to catch My Neighbour Totoro, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Laputa Castle in the Sky.  I've watched the bulk of the Studio Ghibli films already and I watched these 3 films a long time ago and loved them.  The first Studio Ghibli film that I ever watched was Laputa but before that I had already read the manga for Nausicaä which I loved. Somehow, I don't remember why, I ended up watching Nausicaä after Laputa but ended up loving Nausicaä the most.  To this day, Nausicaä is still my favourite Ghibli film.

Till GV screened these films and several other Miyazaki titles on the big screen in Singapore, I had never seen them on the big screen.  The last Ghibli film I watched on the big screen was Howl's Moving Castle and I no longer remember that experience because it was really a long time ago.

When I bought the tickets to watch these films, I had only bought tickets for Totoro and Nausicaä.  While I wanted to watch all the titles, I was unable to make most of the screenings and I also felt that I was so tired that week that it would be a bad idea to try and watch two films a day from Friday to Sunday so ended up just getting tickets to Totoro and Nausicaä.

So I was really, really, really taken aback when I saw Totoro on the big screen for the first time.  It was magical!!!!  Although this was an old anime, even though Totoro's really a relatively simple story and I have already seen it, yet some who I was sooooo charmed by it's cuteness, the innocence of both the children and the magical world they lived in.  I've never been the biggest fan of Joe Hisaishi's music.  It's not that I don't love it.... I do, I really do... but I have never been able to listen to piano music or classical music on loop for hours and hours hence, why I've always preferred Kajiura Yuki's music.  But Hisaishi's music really does suit Ghibli's animes and their pairing is perfect and you cannot help but be in awe of Hisaishi's talent and Miyazaki's skills when you watch these films the way they were always meant to be seen.  In a dark hall surrounded by music, somehow you are transported into whatever world Miyazaki wants to transport you too and the only way I can describe the experience of watching these Ghibli films on the big screen is that it's MAGICAL!!! :)

Nausicaä was, of course, no less magical for me. It is still my favourite Ghibli film. I love it's themes and think that it is still pertinent to this day. I'm sure most of us know that our planet is going through a huge environmental change which may even lead to its destruction and our's too.  Nausicaä with its pro-Nature, anti-conflict themes still remain applicable to this day.  That and of course, the epic storyline, the awesome flying scenes and the terrifically brave heroine, what is there not to love. :)  Nausicaä on her glider... it always makes me want to fly. :)

Although I was extremely tired from watching two films in one night, the experience made me yearn for more but by that time most of the screenings for the other titles were already filled up and they were either sold out or only crappy seats remained. :(  Luckily for me, GV decided to open up more slots for some of these films and I was able to pick up a ticket to watch Laputa on the last day of the Miyazaki retrospective.  YAY!!!! It was AWESOME too.  Better than I remember it the first time round.  Of course when I first watched it, it was on a 14 inch tv with crappy speakers... of course it could never compare. :)

And all this was of course a build up to Kaze Tachinu. Kaze Tachinu was a really good anime.  For me, it still can't beat Nausicaä in it's epic-ness, nor can is it as charming as Totoro but it is still a beautiful film.  While some may be critical of the film and Miyazaki for not making a strong moral statement about war but I am glad he didn't.  Not because I am approving of war and Japan's behaviour during WWII but I think it would would be too heavy handed and sit uncomfortably in a film that has such a dreamy main lead who is able to see beauty and Nature in the machines that he makes.  The way Jiro transitions from dream to reality is really very nicely done too.  But what I really liked most about this film is the love story between Jiro and his wife Nahoko.  The paper plane sequence at the hotel, her stumbling towards him at the train station, the quiet moment when Nahoko pulls the blanket over Jiro and draws closer to him on the futon... no HUGE romantic moments engineered huge emotional reactions but still these nuanced moments seem so much more effective in leaving a lasting impression of the progression of their love.  So when that inevitable end is reached, the audience cannot help but be moved.

Ahhhhhh.... what a great start to the year for anime fans in Singapore.  Not only have we seen some small titles like Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin / Extra Chorus and Majocco no Shimai Yoyo to Nene and fan favourites like Mahou Shoujo Madoka ~ Rebellion and Lupin vs Conan, we've also had a Miyazaki retrospective and Kaze Tachinu.  Here's hoping that the rest of the year will continue to be awesome for anime fans.

Edit:
Before I go to bed...  I thought I should let all who are interested know that CDJapan has listed two titles of interest for Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki fans.

The first title.

Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises) BD with English subtitles and other languages
Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises) DVD with English subtitles

And the Complete BD and DVD boxsets of Miyazaki's films.

Kaze Tachinu is also included in this set.

Miyazaki's Complete Works DVD set with English subtitles
Miyazaki's Complete Works BD set with English subtitles

All these items come with a paper plane as postcard as a first press bonus item.  Which means that the not only does the boxset gets this item, the standalone Kaze Tachinu releases also gets this as a first press bonus.

I would LOVE to get the BD boxset... but... I don't think I can afford it. :'(

Ah well... time for bed!!  Oyasumi :)

Hanako to Anne (ost by Kajiura Yuki) CD listed on CDJapan

This came up on CDJapan today.  I haven't been able to watch this asadora yet so I'm not entirely sure how this music will sound but the music is by Kajiura Yuki which means that I will order this CD at some point. :P

I just have some decisions to make.... I still intend to order the Rekishi Hiwa Historia OST3 soon and I would still like to get the Yuki Kajiura LIVE vol.#11/FictionJunction YUUKA 2 Days Special BD at some point in time.  Hmmmmm.... I'm not sure if I can afford both the Hanako to Anne and the vol.11 BD in the same month.... decisions decisions.... :)

Anyway, head over to the Hanako to Anne NHK website.   The trailer for the 1st week has Ayaka's song playing in the background, that isn't by Kajiura Yuki. Click on this link (CLICK ME) to watch the 2 minute PR clip.  You should get a pop-up window that will play this clip.  I can't be a 100% certain the music in the PR clip is by Kajiura Yuki since I have not watched this drama yet but I would be surprised if it isn't.

If you want to order this CD too.  Here is the CDJapan link:

Hanako to Anne OST CD

:)

Madoka Magika ~ something from Anime Japan

While I wait as patiently as possible for my Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: Rebellion BD LE set to reach me (yes, it has shipped :) )... I thought I'll write a Madoka Magica related post to try and stave off some of my impatience. :P

Last month, one of my friends made a trip to Tokyo and went to Anime Japan.  While I didn't ask him to help me buy anything specific at the exhibition, he decided to help me buy this clear poster because he felt that if he didn't help me buy it, I would regret it.  LOL... yes, he does think in funny ways but he's a good old friend whom I like because he's not a fake human being. :)

So here you go:



This is a clear mini-poster of an illustration for the Madoka Magica anime.  I'm not sure if this is exclusive to Anime Japan but my friend did purchase it for me from the exhibition.  He said that there were two versions and he liked this one more so this is the one he bought.  The other version just has Akemi Homura on her own but I don't know what it looks like.

This clear poster is very pretty actually and if you can get some light to shine through from the back, which is why I had it up agains my computer monitor, it looks very nice.  I also placed it smack up against my Kalafina 2014 calendar so that I can try and shoot a shot of it hanging and to give you an idea of it's dimensions.

I don't really know what I'm going to do with it yet.  But it's really nice and it wasn't horribly expensive.  I think he said it was something like 570 yen?!?

For now, it'll remain in its plastic sleeve and in my pile of cool posters waiting for the day when I have enough time to clean my room thoroughly again so that I can put up these posters. :)

He also picked up this leaflet for me. It's advertising a Madoka Magica exhibition event in May... I wish I could go!!!!  I went to the Madoka Magica exhibition in Mori Tower last year and really liked it... which reminds me... I really need to write up all that Japan trip stuff soon before I forget!!

Anyway... here is the photo of that leaflet... and then I will try and see if I can squeeze in one more post before dinner. :)



Here is the link to the event that they are advertising.  CLICK ME.  I really think that AFA should try and bring down some of these exhibitions to AFA... it would make AFA stand out from a ton of similar anime conventions round the world where it's mostly just stores trying to get you to buy stuff. :P

K... looks like I have to go for dinner now... that second post will have to wait. :)

Madoka Magica~ Rebellion BD release - update tokutens

Just a quick post before I go to bed. :)

I actually saw this update on the official Madoka website a while back but forgot about it.  While I was checking CDJapan out while I wrote up the Ieiri Leo entry, I looked in on the Madoka product page and was reminded of it.  This is the updated graphic for the poster tokuten one will get if you ordered your BD or DVD of the movie from CDJapan. (while stocks last)

This set will be released very soon.  The 2nd April to be exact.  I really can't wait for my copy to come. :)

For those who are interested in getting it... here are the links.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion [w/ Bonus Blu-ray+CD, Limited Edition] 
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion BD [Regular Edition]
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion  DVD [Regular Edition]

source: CDJapan

Also... I saw this... a special order page for the BD Limited Edition set.  I'm seriously tempted to get cancel my order and order this Limited Edition set instead.

This is the Aniplex+ version which comes with two tokutens.  It has a special slipcase which looks AWESOME.  It also comes with a clear file that looks equally awesome.

The Madoka Magica website has a nicer image of this really cool looking case for this set.

source

source

If any of you are interested in this special order from CDJapan, you can check this link out.

Madoka Magica BD LE Aniplex+ version

Okay... off to bed now. :) Oyasumi!! :)

Ieiri Leo ~ a boy - unboxing

Actually, this is a pretty simple unboxing.  I'm not even sure why it took me sooooo long to do it.  I think I originally planned on writing more extensively about the music etc but work was crazy and I am/was not a 100% fit so I kept procrastinating. :(

So anyway... here it is finally... the Ieiri Leo "a boy" album unboxing.  I only bought the Limited Edition so that'll be the version that I will unbox. :)

First up... all the photos of the CD which comes with a DVD.

       

And... um... yeah... that's my Madoka Magica deskmat underneath. :P

As usual, I shot photos of the disc with the shrink wrap on and off.  It's a pretty standard packaging.  The lyrics booklet does have quite a lot of nice photos of Ieiri.  But of course, it's the music that interests me the most. :)

I'm actually quite happy with this purchase because I only just started liking her music.  The "Chocolate" single is my first Ieiri purchase, this is only my second.  (for the Chocolate unboxing ~ CLICK ME)

So although there are several songs on "a boy" which aren't new, since I don't have any studio recordings of all the older songs except for "Chocolate", I was more than happy to get them in the album. :)  When I have more money, I will buy her first album "Leo".

IMO, Ieiri is a really excellent live performer and her music is quite varied too.  Ieiri writes her own music which makes me think that she probably listens very widely as well.  I mean, how many musicians in Japan would have a song like "Papa & Mama" along side something like "Chocolate" in their album.  Although I tend to prefer her rockier songs, I think she sounds quite sweet in ballads and very moving in pop rock too. I wish my music vocabulary was better, then I could write better comments on Kajiura Yuki, Kalafina and Ieiri Leo... :(

My favourite from all the new songs on "a boy" are Carnival, Kibou no Hoshi and Lay Me Down.  I really think that Ieiri Leo is headed for bigger things.  It's unlikely that she'll ever come down to Singapore to perform... but if she ever does... I'll be one of the first in line to buy a ticket to see her live, that's for sure. :)

If you're interested in picking up her album too.  Here are the direct links to CDJapan's product pages.

Ieiri Leo ~ a boy LE (with DVD)
Ieiri Leo ~ a boy RE

Also, here is the CM for this album.  I think I have never put it up on the blog.


Actually, as I was writing up the last bit of this entry, I was listeing to her album at the same time... and I must say "Too Many" is a really good song too. :)

K... it's past midnight. :(  I need to sleep soon ... I need to start on working on focusing more in the future so that I can get things done faster when I'm home from work.... I was going to write another post... on a different band that I re-discovered...but I think I'll leave that for another day. :)