SIM Anime and Gaming Club

Happy Singles' Awareness Day 2013!

14th of February is just a normal day for most of us, but for some of them hitched people, Valentine's Day is a special day where you express your love for each other.
And for the rest of the world who are actually conscious about it, 14th of February is deemed to be a Singles' Awareness Day, where the singles lamented their singleness, and on more extreme cases, cursing those who can circle their arms around the waist of their significant other.

So happy valentine for our club members who already have your own sweetheart, and for those who are still single -including me lol-, we can also play our part on celebrating this diabetic chockfull chocolate day by obviously eating lots of discounted delicious chocolates.

"but Anthony, when will you get your own valentine?"

When I can get Choi Sooyoung all for myself muhahahhahahahahahahahahahahahah



"GEE" - SNSD


YES, THEY ARE KOREANS.
YES. THIS VERSION IS IN JAPANESE.
YES, I AM A BIG FAN OF THEM.
YES, YOU MUST HAVE THIS IN YOUR COLLECTION.
NO, NO BUTS.
WAIT, SOMEONE NEEDS TO SING THIS IN EVERY KARAOKE OUTINGS FROM NOW ON.

"Might as well stop being stubborn, I'm going to steer clear and go at it full speed
With my pastel nails, natural makeup, and fluffy curls, you’ll start to fall for me
Gee Gee Gee Gee Baby Baby Baby
Gee Gee Gee Gee Baby Baby Baby"

"Say Yes" - Chage & Aska


Ah, a classic! Undoubtedly one of the most popular Japanese love songs (welp the most popular is Hikki's "First Love" no contest) up to this date, Say Yes was a huge hit in the 90s.

The song is based on the image of a marriage proposal. Suffice to say some weddings in Japan have played this song as a part or even the main theme of the ceremony.
The lyrics depicts a marriage proposal.
The couple is ready for everything, their bonds tempered with lovely memories and by overcoming various hardships. Ready to pledge his future with the girlfriend, the guy stepped up his game and proposed.

"Just the two of us, we shall chase our dreams together, and live together forever 
For one love, there's another to reciprocate, embrace it, so not to lose the touch of love we have now
I will say this no matter how many times, I am sure you do love me
Don't hesitate, SAY YES, don't hesitate"


"Jikan yo Tomare" - AZU feat. SEAMO (Itazura na Kiss)


Translated to "Oh Time, Stop!", this is actually one of my lullaby songs, up with the likes of "Fields of Hope", "Garden of Everything", and "One Drop", but since today is valentine, I need to include this magnificent love song in this valentine special edition.

The song depicts the wishful feelings of a couple, each wanting to stop time when they are both together.
The guy, portrayed by SEAMO, thinks that 100 hours won't even fit in one day, that he wants to find all the good points of the girl.
The girl, portrayed by AZU, relished their time together and wants time to stop, or if possible, teleports to tomorrow to meet up with the guy again.
In the end, they both think that even if time won't stop, they will still be able to meet each other since they are destined to be together.

"The words I hide in my embarrassment, the moments when our eyes met, the time we spent together
I wish they all had lasted longer
You held my hand until you saw me off at the final train, that gentlemanly kindness makes me happy
Every time, everyday, everything
Even if I don't put it into words, you are my special person
If I could be granted just one wish, Dear God, please stop time when we are alone together"


"Suiheisen" - Inaba Koshi
Damn youtube taking down videos. Here's a youku link instead

Here's one for you heartbroken comrades who courageously confessed your loves but for some specific reasons, got softly rejected.
This is so far the most beautiful heartbreak song I have ever heard in my life, and from my favorite singer on top of that!

Suiheisen means "Horizon", the line that separates the ocean and the sky (Chiheisen, on the other hand, refers to the the horizon that separates the earth and the sky).
It reflects the entirety of the song, so close yet so far, about a man who is unsure of his own fleeting Horizon-like feelings for a 'friend' of his, realized it in the end, and tries desperately to appeal to a girl who doesn't see him as any more than a friend.
Yes, you read that right, this is a song about the dreadful Friendzone. 
The entire song is full of mindblowing metaphors that depicts how the guy and the girl experienced joy together and sometimes clashed with each other, all of it helped the guy to realize how he has fallen for the girl, and how the Horizon will always stay flat in the end, eternally separating the sky from the blue ocean.

"Please, don't go anywhere, you, whom I need to discover mine important feelings with
'tis too sad, and too heavy a burden for me, this sweet scent of 'Friendship'
Sit beside me and put on your smile, play along, pretend that you enjoy my boring chatters
It's okay even if it's only in my dream, as long as I can be with you for just a little more time"


"Valentine Kiss" - Iroha, Yukimame, Hinanata, Nanahira (Niconico Utaite)


FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU MOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

"Valentine day kiss! With the taste of an adult"


"Hysteric Moon" - Janne Da Arc

But what is Valentine's day without some hot.... or not... stalking action?
Here's a song dedicated to you stalkers, be it facebook or real life ones, keep up the good job.

As I have said before, Hysteric Moon is a song about stalking... which some said to be the holy art of secretly protecting your beloved from afar, delivered as per usual Janne Da Arc's kickass pop rocking sound.
The lyrics depicts the entirety of a stalker's mindset: Silently watching the victim and following his/her every movements, phoning the victim at midnight, having a secret wish to be found and hopefully for their feelings to reciprocate.
Well, the ending can be interpreted as, the stalker finally broke inside the victim's house, implicitly raped him/her until the police finally came and arrested the stalker. What a bloody valentine *Mr.Bean*

"Do you know why I don't need words anymore? It's because I understand everything about you now
I’m right by your side so don’t be afraid, but I can only watch you from afar because I’m shy
Amongst the crowd I found you, there are dangerous guys around, so I shall escort you silently
If it’s for you, my beloved, I’ll fly through the skies
Under the shining full moon, I shall dance with the god of death!"


"Nukumori" - HOME MADE KAZOKU


Another feelgood ballad by HMKu, translated to "Warmth".
This song actually depicts the warmth of a mother, an endless love supporting your life journey.
It can however, be applied to other precious people you have in your life.
Be it your mother, family members, friends, boy/girlfriend, or even exes, be thankful for their warmth that have supported you to grow into a splendid person and treasure them always.

There's a time in life when you feel lost and confused, bearing great sorrow, or feel like you are betrayed by love and thus incapable of loving someone. Most of the time you man it up and got up again strongly, but sometimes you just feel like you can't take it anymore.
In such cases, it's okay to be meek and show your weakness, the warmth of your loved ones will always be there to save you from that cold darkness.

"Hands intertwined, you passes on the warmth from your palms to me,
"It's okay to be spoiled sometimes"
you said, and I felt relieved hearing that
In the middle of your simple kindness, that supporting warmth of yours silently spoke to me,
"Nobody can replace you"
with that I realized all of your affection for me
Thank you, thank you for this indescribable warmth"


"Angel Voice" - Fukuyama Yoshiki & Ijima Mari (Macross Dynamite 7)


Composed by maestro Kanno Yoko and sung by two of the greatest singing personas in the anime industry, Nekki Basara and Lynn Minmay, Angel Voice is unquestionably a masterpiece.
Originally sung in solo by Fukuyama or Ijima only, this is an unofficial mashup where their vocals are mixed together and made the song ten times more epic.

The song depicts the longing of a guy to meet his 'angel', whose voice is still ringing inside his heart.
When he first laid his eyes on the divine angelic figure, his dream was to meet the angel again someday.
Finally both of them have reunited, and even if they are to be separated again, the angel's image has been burned into his eyes so that he will never forget.

"If you listen carefully you can probably hear it, yes that voice
This feeling that can't be put into words, I always feel it, that's the voice of an angel
Sparkling brightly beyond the horizon, your figure there wasn't a dream, at last the two of us finally meet
I have engraved your appearance into my very eyes, so we can meet again even if I close my eyes
I always hear it in my heart, that angel voice of yours"


"Towa ni Tomo ni" - Kobukuro

Another marriage themed song.
Translated to "Together Forever", this is one of the most romantic Jpop song in existence and is used widely as marriage song even until now.
Different from "Say Yes" above in which that song is a marriage proposal, "Towa ni Tomo ni" is a ceremonial theme where the marriage has actually took place.

The lyrics mentioned that everything flows naturally, from the moment they met each other until both of them stood together on the altar. Even though they fought and bickered, it only strengthened their bonds and steeled their resolutions. The first bell has rung, the groom held the bride's hand with a serene calmness in his heart, and their new life together has just begun.

"I didn't wear anything special, but you, dressed a bit grander than usual, look stunningly beautiful.
I am always busy with something, so I don't have lots of memories with you,
but finally, from now on, we can step forward to the future, the starting bell now echoes throughout this town.
Walking together, Searching together, Laughing together, Taking vows together
Feeling together, Deciding together, Crying together, Leaning against each other,
Hugging each other, Getting lost together, Building together, Wishing together
I shall paint those pictures of our days"


"Ai no Bakudan" - B'z

Literally translated to "Love Bomb", this song is popular circa 2005 for its catchy melody and easiness to cover, except for the vocal part, that is.
There's a famous saying regarding this song right after its release: "It's a crime for a pair of 40 year old men to make a song as cheerful and as catchy as this"

The song tells us to fight against the overwhelming hatred and jealousy in this world that has turned the people into ignorant masses full of negativity.
Feeling depressed? Jealous? Short tempered? Always looking at the negative side of things? Fear not! Let's spread the love bombs and make the world a better place one smile at a time!

"Today is yet another day in this imperfect world, even if you didn't cry, someone else did
People have created an illusion of sorrow, the only thing that can change it is your pure smile
Drop many more Love Bombs for me, right in the middle of this sleepless town 
Scatter many more Love Bombs for me, into the pockets of people who passes by each other
What we should be fighting now, with our hands raised, is the jealousy that has swallowed the world"



In the end, Valentine's day is a happy day! Don't be jealous or depressed, just enjoy and join in the celebration!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2013!

At the time this post is being written, it is nighttime, 25th of December 2012, and Anthony is enjoying his year end holiday away from Singapore.
But fret not! For Anthony is always with you guys in spirit to celebrate this wondrous occasion that is Christmas and New Year!

Here is a compilation of Japanese Christmas themed songs for your listening pleasure:


"Hurry Xmas" - L'arc en Ciel


A really happy and joyful Christmas song, my top choice for this list.
This song depicts a happy couple spending their time on a happy Christmas season, impatiently waiting for Christmas eve to come so they can party all the night and celebrate their love.
The joy and energy of Christmas permeates in every tone and syllables of this swinging rock n' roll, such fun!
"Thank you, Jesus!" Thank you Hyde and Tetsu for composing this wonderful song!

"I'll steal the night sky and light the candles, I'll keep her present hidden for the moment 
There are stars in those beloved eyes of hers, will she be happy?
These glasses are starting to get full with bursting sweetness, SO SWEET!
Come on, the party is starting, come on music!"


"Itsuka no Merry Christmas" - B'z

If "Hurry Xmas" depicts a scene of celebration and jubilation, this song portrays a melancholic and romantic side of Christmas, a favorite Christmas choice for the Japanese since 1992.
Gackt, being a fan of B'z himself, has so far covered this song in Christmas TV specials with Namie Amuro and Ayumi.
This ballad depicts a romance story on a certain Christmas in the past.
The romantic melody and vivid storytelling of the lyrics easily captures the heart of listeners worldwide, and the heartwrenching last sentence totally sealed the deal.
A 1998 acoustic version featuring Inaba's more developed voice can be found here.

"Watching the candles light up our room, I said, "Let's never, ever be parted"
Before long, I found myself in tears, without even knowing why
Standing on the street now, the one beside me is just an after image of people passing by quickly
All of them hugging their presents with such happy faces"


"Christmas" - Judy and Mary


Judy and Mary hits it home with this heartwarming rock number.
The melody and Yuki's bratty vocal is always guaranteed to pop a smile on your face.
The song tells you a girl's wish to be with his beloved for Christmas.
Meeting Santa inside her dream, she wishes, "Instead of luxurious sparkles, give me my most precious person"
Spending the white Christmas eve, praying together just she and her boyfriend.

"I have something that I want no matter what for this Christmas baby
It's not a diamond wrapped in red ribbons
Light a fire to that candle and enjoy the eve with me together 
Merry Xmas for just the two of us 
Stay beside me until I open my eyes"


"Holy Night" - Kugimiya Rie, Kitamura Eri (Toradora!)


Here's one anisong representative, a Christmas song from Tenori Taiga and my favorite girl Ami-chan!
They are here to brighten your mood with their cute vocals!
You don't need to be an expert in Japanese to understand the lyrics, it's pretty basic really.
"Saa Christmas! Ippai no egao!"

"Christmas this year is a little special, even if it’s not a white Christmas
It will definitely be a special night, a lonely Christmas will be boring
Illumination of the stars, look at them piling up on the ground
I vow to you on this holy holy night"


"Juunigatsu no Love Song" - GACKT


Translated to "December's Love Song", Gackt sends shiver down your spine with this uplifting Christmas track.
This song is actually meant to be a song about world peace and harmony.
As seen from the PV, Gackt made this as a tribute to the 9/11 WTC tragedy victims.
The lyrics is all about love and overflowing romantic feelings in the Christmas season, but if you see it in a more general way, the words can also be applied for friends and family.
Truly a song about world peace, let's love each other and live in harmony forever.

"As I gaze into the show window, I passed by so many couples holding each others' shoulders
As I wait for you, I tried to place these thoughts into every white breath that leaves my lips
Because you mean so much to me, don’t ever change, and keep on smiling
Because I love you so, I’ll keep on holding on to you, only you"


"White Love" - SPEED

Ah, classic SPEED, the biggest girl group to hit Japan's music industry.
This song is about how a girl treasures her newly forged relationship, how she misses her boyfriend dearly on nights when he doesn't call her, how she scribbles his initials all over her notebooks.
Her love gives her unimaginable happiness, but the more happy she is, the more afraid she is of losing him.
This anxiety powers her up to love him even more, creating an unending cycle of sorts.
A recent live with the members all grown up (12 years gap) can be found here.

"Like the light of the stars that go on forever
I want to cover you with the love that fills my heart
Our encounter, a gift from the angels
Will fly through the air and keep sparkling forever"


"Silver Town" - HOME MADE KAZOKU


And now, for a more modern hip-hop take on the joys of Christmas.
This is the first song that came to my mind when making this list, a typical HMKu's feelgood energetic rap music, with a Christmas twist to it.
The song, especially the rap part, perfectly depicts the bustling and joyful city scenery in Christmas.
Starting from how the town becomes suddenly bright after 5pm with lovers holding hands together, how the guy gets bored while waiting for his girlfriend in his car, to how he surprises her with a well hidden silver ring, all in a joyful scenery covered in snow.
The only bad thing is that there are no higher quality versions in youtube, and my copy of this song is locked inside my currently spoiled HDD.

"When the bell of happiness rings, the hands of two are intertwined, eyes locked at each other 
I pulled your ear slightly, please listen carefully while I say those embarrassing three words to you.
That stained glass is starting to shine just like this blushing December
Careful about the people watching, the boyfriend gives a kiss
And then, a whispered “Merry Christmas”"


"Winter Wish" - Yonekura Chihiro (Love Hina Christmas Special)

Probably one of the best and most iconic anime Christmas songs, Winter Wish is sung by Yonekura Chihiro of Gundam 08th MS Team fame.
Yonekura's crispy vocal goes hand in hand with the romantic melody, creating an anisong masterpiece that transcends time.
The song depicts a romantic couple, their only wish is to be together forever always.
As they hug each other, that warmth they are feeling is their winter wish.
I don't know about you guys but this song makes me want to cuddle up with someone, a teddy bear will do perhaps.

"The powdered snow that fell on my face turned into tears
Stay by me forever, don't let go of my hand
Shining stars in the winter sky wrapped around the both of us
These white shoulders, this white breath, this is my winter wish I'm feeling with you"


"A Christmas Song" - Monkey Majik, Oda Kazumasa


When you see Oda Kazumasa and Monkey Majik in one sentence, both big names in the soft ballad world, you know you're in for an amazing treat.
Released in December 5th this year, this very new Christmas track quickly proved itself to be a pleasurable song to listen to.
The song depicts the solemn aspect of Christmas, a silent joy and fuzzy warm happiness.
Spending the day with the people you hold dear, being grateful for all the blessings received throughout the years, praying for these peaceful days to continue forever.

"As the sun sets, the street corners start to glitter
People passed by each other with gentle smiles
The fluttering snowflakes look like angels
Tonight, the entire town is surrounded by happiness
Overflowing with love, the sounds of the bell echoes gently in the night sky"


"Can't Wait til Christmas" - Utada Hikaru


A serene yet lighthearted love song from Hikki, delivered with piano and her ultrasonic relaxing voice.
Unlike her usual style, Hikki's voice in this song is cuter and raspier.
This song is about a girl who is waiting for a confession from a seemingly dense guy.
The guy is gunning for her, but he doesn't know that the girl already has feelings for him.
The girl knows that both of them has feelings for each other and is now waiting for the guy to actually ask her out, before Christmas comes perhaps.
A bit of fun trivia, this song is best coupled with EXILE's entry below, "Yumemiru youna Christmas".

"Don’t make me wait until Christmas
The whole town is starting to fall in love with you
Don’t put up your cool acts in front of me
I’m already, ahh, loving you"


"Snow Halation" - μ's (Love Live!)

Yes, any decent Jpop list needs that certain bubblegum song that makes you scream, "MOEEEEEE!!!" or "Please be my waifuuuuu!"
This song, as you can see from the PV, depicts the struggle of lovestruck girls on facing their own feelings, gathering their courage to confess to their crushes.
The acoustic guitar actually caught me by surprise, it strangely fits really well with the overall composition.
"Love Live!" is scheduled to air on TV this coming January, hopefully we can see the girls performing this number on the anime.
On a side note, Umi-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!! Eri-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!

"From the first time we met, the melody of my heart has shouted a sign 
Before I knew it, my true emotion had grown so large
It’s painful only seeing it as a dream, the one I want to call my lover is you
I don't want to be swayed and bewildered by those gentle eyes
Take all my affection as it is all at once please!"



This is the so-called Japan's national Christmas carol.
Since 1983, this song has been blaring throughout Japan's radio stations whenever Christmas comes.
The lyrics is actually very simple, comprising of only 10 sentences, in which 4 of them are the chorus.
The charm of this song comes from the catchy and happy melody, complete with powerful background vocals, something that can be said crazy awesome in 1983.
An English version of the song can be found here.
Also, 1:59, epicness ensues.

"The rain, in this time of night, has changed into snow
Surely you won't come, another Christmas Eve spent all alone
Deep inside my heart, this hidden feeling of mine, will it be granted or will it not?
This feeling of mine for you still won't disappear, it lingers around the night"


"Shiroi Koibitotachi" - Kuwata Keisuke


And now for the closing number, here's another popular Christmas song that is often repeated on radio stations all over Japan, brought to you by the soulful blues vocal of Kei-chan.
The melody of this song is so melancholic yet so uplifting and romantic it simply grows on you, makes you want to take a girl by her hand and waist and proceed to dance slowly.
It depicts a story of a guy who reminisced upon his past lover for one last time, shedding tears of goodbye, hoping that his lonely days will eventually pass and a new love to dawn upon him.
This song has been covered by prolific vocalists like Hirai Ken and Shimizu Shota and even the super RnB group Boyz II Men, but still their voice profile can't perfectly grasp the soulful swing of the song like Kei-chan does.
Too bad the epic PV is removed from youtube, except for this short version.

"Outside, it’s cold enough to freeze a sigh, wind howls through the empty winter streets
I’m at that *Akarenga station, waiting for someone who will never return
Tonight I shall sing a tearful love serenade, it’s a love song that I still haven’t forgotten
Snow, let me celebrate my love once more, grace this night of lonely tears with white love"

*Akarenga: Yokohama historical red brick building

Song of the week: "Raging River" by B'z


Some of you have heard amazing songs that are mixes of epic orchestra ensemble and hard rock wailing guitar.
and some of you may have thought, "HOLY SHIT THESE SONGS ARE SO FUCKING EPIC!"
If so, you guys would definitely like this week's entry. Say hi to another addition to your epic song list, "Raging River".

This is one of the most emotional songs I have ever heard.
If you understand Japanese to a certain extent, it is very easy to depict the soulful and reflective lyrics into the calm, yet powerful and emotional music.
If I have to use only one word to describe this song, it would be "SUBLIME".

Released in the hard rock era of B'z (1998-2000), Raging River is a part of "ELEVEN", one of B'z heaviest hard-rock albums.



"Raging River E. Style" (short English acoustic version)


From the very start, the piano and violin have already made quite an impact, producing a calm and peaceful ambient. Followed soon thereafter by the acoustic guitar, which plays a very critical role here. It gives off a sad and lonely feeling to the entirety of the song.

Inaba's vocal is, as usual, powerful and explosive. He delivered the song in a soulful way any other rock vocalists can only dream of.

The reflective lyrics combined with the epic full orchestra melody gives off the image of a serene riverside on the mountains. Sudden heavy guitar shreds and change of tone in the lyrics on each chorus gives you the image of the wild raging river and the glorious struggle.

Don't get me going on the guitar solo, the motherfucking guitar solo. Tak lived up to his name as one of the 3 Japanese guitar legends and Grammy Award winner. Solo starts at 4:02

The lyrics is one of the most motivational lyrics Inaba has ever written, this is certainly something seeing that B'z have their own star studded lyrics compendium.

You can interpret the story like this:
The writer is running away from his designated life. He has lived a bountiful and enjoyable life, accepting everything that comes before him, but now he longs for something that is missing in his life.
He is now crossing the raging river, hoping to find that special something that would fill the gap in his soul, in the end of his journey.
It is told that the writer sometimes misses his home, remembering his sweet memories, only to be swept away by the river and came back to the harsh reality, seasons passed by and the writer still continues his journey. You can relate this to "finding a path to reach enlightenment".
The writer can only reach enlightenment after a lot of sacrifices, including the disappearing memories of his loved ones. You can relate this to "cleansing your soul". Wash away.

and on the final chorus, the writer wishes good luck to those who also have yet to finish their journey, reminding himself that he still has a lot more to go, to cross that raging river.

If this is not epic, I don't know what is. You can't even sing this bloody awesome song on karaoke sessions unless you want to rip your own vocal cord.


ROMAJI

Tsumetai kaze ga fuite, hitori tachidomaru
Ukare sugita hibi ga itte, tsui ni michi wo miushinau
Kono sai nigete shimaou, dare mo tomeya shinai yo
Soredemo mae ni suzue motto, fumidasu ashi wa tsureteru

Ima goro anata wa nani shiterundarou?
Miageta sore wa itsumo mabushii BLUE...

Yume wo egaite ita, sukoshi zutsu te ni iretekita
Nani hitotsu ushinau mai to, itsu no manika obieteita

Kono yo nageteku nara, oite yuku dake darou?
Aruki hajimeta koro ni modoritai

STAND UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAGING RIVER, WASH AWAY, WASH AWAY
Dare ni mo iyase wa shinai, itami daite, tatakae
STRUGGLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAGING RIVER, WASH AWAY, WASH AWAY
Dare to mo wakachi aenai, itami daite, nemure...

Yasashii hi wo abite, mata hitotsu hana wo hiraku
Kazoe kirenu omoi ukabe, kisetsu wa hitasura nagareteru

Subete ukeireru, yuuki ga hoshii
Rikari are kuruu kawa wo ima watarou

STAND UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAGING RIVER, WASH AWAY, WASH AWAY
Dare ni mo iyase wa shinai, itami daite, tatakae
STRUGGLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAGING RIVER, WASH AWAY, WASH AWAY
Kaeranu monotachi ni te wo futte, jibun no tameni, mou ichido
WASH AWAY, WASH AWAY, WASH AWAY
Itami daite, tatakae...


TRANSLATION

In the midst of blowing cold wind, I am standing alone
The floating images of the past days have started to disappear
And next, I am losing the sight of my road
Up until here I have run away, don't anyone stop me
And then, I will keep on moving ahead, one step out and the other leg will follow

I wonder what you are doing at this moment
Whenever I look up what I see is always the blinding blue sky

I painted my own dream, but my hand only did a small amount of it
What is that one thing which is missing?
Don't know since when I started to become anxious about it

But if I keep grieving for this, I'm just gonna grow old, right?
Since the start of my journey, this is the first time I feel like going home

Stand up in the middle of the raging river, wash away, wash away
Don't anyone come to heal me, I shall embrace this pain and fight on
Struggle in the middle of the raging river, wash away, wash away
Don't expect anyone to understand, I shall embrace this pain and sleep away

Bathing in the gentle sun rays, yet another flower blooms open
Counting the memories that float by, the season is flowing away

I have always accepted everything that comes, but yet still I long for courage
Therefore I am now crossing this madly raging river

Stand up in the middle of the raging river, wash away, wash away
Don't anyone come to heal me, I shall embrace this pain and fight on
Struggle in the middle of the raging river, wash away, wash away
I wave my hands to those who are not returning home, and for my own sake, one more time
Wash away, wash away, wash away
I shall embrace this pain and fight on...

YJ: Well, we r still in touch even after she left the kingdom by twitttting. I know that she has been backpacking and  finding myth balls to grant her wish. Since she is direction idiot, prob lost her way most of the time. But since this kidnapping case started, I lost contact wit her. I saw her tweet abt goin to new world and find children or sth. 

So I have been enjoying my time off in my hometown Jakarta last month and coincidentally, it was the Hari Raya festive season around then (Aidil Fitri for the culturally savvy).

As Indonesia's only metropolis, Jakarta is crowded with kampong villagers from all over the country looking for "high-paying" jobs (read: unstable odd-jobs with an unstable monthly wage equivalent of SGD 300) so they can live better lives.
Hectic is an understatement when it comes to Jakarta's street traffic.
To give you a rough illustration, imagine three buses cramped in a small avenue in Little India, with motorcycles speeding up, blocking the ends of the road.
You need to drive from your house maximum at 7AM to avoid traffic jams, and even without jams, you'll reach the office area at around 8.30AM (8 if you are not working in the prestigious yet bustling central area).
And then there's the evening peak hours. If you leave your office at around 6-7PM, you would be reaching your home around 9 if you're lucky. If you're working overtime, leaving your office at around 10, the highways will be filled up with gigantic 6-8 wheelers and the traffic would not seem to budge, at all. Good luck.

At least half of this traffic is generated from these kampong people, and it's certainly not a good idea to be on the road in peak hours, especially if you're not a native of Jakarta.

Whenever Hari Raya season comes, these people travel back to their kampong to meet and greet their families and relatives (compare CNY).
This phenomenon is what makes Jakarta the ideal city for sightseeing in this short period of time. The usual packed arteries and highways become empty and wide with less vehicles (emphasis on motorcycle) and almost no 6-8 wheelers.
The streets at night were simply wonderful, similar to Singapore's night traffic, with freedom to swerve anywhere you want.

Usually I am more fond of playing jazzy chill tracks while driving in the night, to compensate for the usual hectic traffic and create a more pleasant atmosphere inside the car.

On the second night of Hari Raya however, an epiphany struck me while I was driving through Jakarta's empty highways,



 of course I was driving alone and my parents weren't in the car with me, else I would be disowned faster than you can spell "disown"


So here's a list of anime-game song remixes that are suitable for your speeding pleasure, an assortment of Techno, Trance, and Eurobeat remixes.


1. "God Knows" - Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu (Eurobeat)


Vocalwise, this remix offers the beautiful vocal of the prolific utaite nayuta.
Just listen to that swinging, lovely voice that is almost Hirano's equal. Goddamn it makes me ha...... ppy!


2. "Last Impression" - Gundam Wing (Trance)


As you know, "two-mix" is one of the early pillars of electronic music in Japan and was really popular in the mid 90s, especially for their involvement in the Gundam franchise with Gundam Wing.
This trance take on the original techno-disco version is really impressive, cutting down the melancholic piano and amplifies the beats and wow-effects.


3. "LION" - Macross Frontier (Speed Trance)


I have to say that this version is on par or even better than the original.
The original version had a rockish background and the beautiful vocals of May'n and Nakajima.
This version however, has a faster tempo that provides a more intense background and a chorus that simply fills you with adrenaline.


4. "Airman ga Taosenai" (Speed Trance)


Ah, the ever famous "I Can't Defeat Airman". You can feel the frustration and tension from the music.
Perfect song for making sharp turns without braking or speeding up in a cramped small street and all around frustrating your passengers, especially if your homies are in the car.
Isn't it lovely to make them cuss "Goddammit Anthony I fucking saw a flash of my childhood memory!"
and make them realize that their lives is in your hands?


5. "LEVEL 5 Judgelight" - To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (Eurobeat)

Actually, this Euro mix is not as intense as "Only My Railgun" by raptor32, but as you can see, raptor's final mixing is unclean even though the song has so much potential.
As per my policy of featuring only one song from every title, I have to pick this over raptor's Only My Railgun.
Before someone jumps in with, "but Beatcharger-san has also made an awesome eurobeat mix of judgelight!", let me remind you that we are using these tracks for driving, with your right foot glued to the gas pedal, of course we need tracks with crazy fast tempo!


6. "Phantom Minds" - Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha Movie (Trance)


This is pretty much the same as the LION trance mix above. This remix is on par or even better than the original Nana Mizuki version (inb4 Nana fans rage).
Although it lacks Nana's amazing voice, the faster tempo gives you the adrenaline rush you need for speeding up on highways.


7. m.o.v.e - "Gravity" (Euro-disco)


This is undoubtedly my favorite song from m.o.v.e and I would be very orgasmic if they are to sing this on AFA next month.
Gravity is a very unique song. The original version was done by a mishmash group "m.o.e.v" for an Initial D parody scene in a certain Lucky Star episode.
m.o.v.e then followed up with their own mix of Gravity, which is this song.
So it's a parody of a parody, get it? Yeah, this is some inception stuff.


8. "Lunatic Paradise" - Izayoi Sakuya theme remix (Eurobeat)

A remix of Sakuya's boss theme "Lunar Clock". This is pure Japanese Eurobeat material, comes in a pack with super hard Engrish.
J-Euro differs a lot from normal Eurobeat in terms of lyrics.
You see, the quick formula to determine the lyrics of a Eurobeat is to look for the words "Night", "Tonight", "Dance", "Baby", "Fire", words that European (mostly Italian) composers love to use in almost every existing Eurobeat tracks.
Japanese composers on the other hand, misinterpret the cheesy and incoherent lyrics of Eurobeat (which was penned down by fluent English speakers) as gibberish, thus writing nonsensical and jumbled Engrish.


9. "I'll Believe" - Shakugan no Shana III (Trance)


The original version was, like usual ALTIMA style, a m.o.v.e inspired mixture of euro-disco.
However, it had a fatal weakness in -a deliberately- improper mixing which leads to a low background volume (focusing on Maon's vocal), making the whole song less intense. Apparently it's not a case of audio quality difference, the background volume is just that damn low, and if you amplify it using audio softwares, you'll simply get the loudness effect and a poor quality song. If you are listening to the original version with an MP3 player that has 3D equalizer presets, by all means, use them.
This trance remix not only has a faster tempo, it also amplifies the background music. Although the final mixing is a bit unclean, you can consider that the weak background problem has been eliminated.


10. "TANK!" - Cowboy Bebop (Eurobeat)


And the final track is TANK! a perfect song for you to speed up without an ounce of care.
Sadly there are no Extended ParaParaMAX versions in youtube. I have the extended music file, but it's locked inside my spoiled hdd D: