The Entertainment News 2019 Edition Issue #13

Ah, what a Sunday, doing overtime because I have to haha

Okay, managed to clear Anime also just now and considering it's end of season, I've got plenty to say so be sure to check it out below. Also, since this is all the time I had to do this, I updated plenty of Klassic Note stuff and the website. That's it.

Well, read on already would you I can't type my life here forever it's more boring than Kaguya's summer vacation lol

アニメ Domestic na Kanojo

"I feel full of gratitude to be able to grow up along with all of you" yeah especially the one student lol Hina-chan

"Nice dumbfounded look!" lmao ah I felt better already. In the final episode (#DomeKano12) of this really, really sad to end way of a series, we end at a part that... is conclusive of what happened mainly in this arc, which is Hina-chan and her relationship with men. Well, mostly Natsuo but I have to include the others into the equation so if you'll excuse me. Because of those strong feelings and Hina's character and the student board choosing the older person to approach first, things changed real fast after it was discovered that Hina-chan was having a relationship with Natsuo, ie. student-teacher relationship. You know, those that aren't acceptable by society. Again, to hell with society but still, it was an issue. So since the choice landed on Hina's hands, she took it to leave the school and Natsuo in order to not ruin his future. And in that, even Natsuo, I think everyone handled her passing real well. It's those "I know it's for my own good but" and then Natsuo just can't stop crying and screaming and not forget about the times they were together... understandable for a typical breakup plot without looking at the face for some reason (well I can't imagine if there is physical contact, so...) so I'm not going to complain about the plot line. At the very least the author and production handled it well. Moving on, Natsuo had to pour out all his overwhelming feelings of sorrow and pain into a novel, and in doing so got him what he didn't expect: a winning prize in a literary award. Hey, congrats, bro. Now is to remember that feeling and write stories with it. What is great about life is that on remembering things you have done, and if it was remembered well and vividly, can be motivation for you to conitnue living. That, I couldn't have experienced it better myself, and you probably did too even without love. Hina-chan chose one of the right paths to not tarnish any of their reputations in public, and in embracing that sacrificed what would be important in keeping Natsuo's dream safe, so he should thanks her for that. Lastly, it's Rui. Probably the most heartbroken because he did it once with Natsuo and has been till now only suppressed her feelings for the only true man in the story (lol sorry Marie and your half body tattoo), is now free. Free of suppression, for starters. Whether Natsuo will take that in like he does in substitution to another like he always does, is up to him. And of course up to whether we'll get a second season of Anime because it stops there. Yep, that's it, folks. Overall, I enjoyed the series. I know about the obvious sex and physical contact scenes they gotta put in to justify the adaptation, but even so they have done it enough to not make me walk away (well it'll be more than this before I do anyway) or engrossed that I want to j**k off to it. Okay, not that really, but I enjoyed the drama the most. They may not have enough character development outside of the main character scope (for example the parents questioning their marriage again, Miu-chan on Kiriya etc.), but otherwise it was a good show. And to be honest? I can't take any more cheesy sorrows or cry-outs besides this more understanding approach of like venting it out and moving on, making this the most matured ending to a sad romance story I've seen so far in my life in Anime. And for that, Sasuga-sensei, thanks for this. And Good Ending. That may not have been a hit, but this did. And I'm glad to have remembered your pen name. Hey, look Natsuo's more well-known than you now haha jkjk

Looking at this is even sadder when you notice the ring is taken straight off

My reaction if this series ever gets a season 2 pls make it happen haha

P.S. "I'm sorry, I am a weak person." You are, Hina-chan. All the more then to not keep it to yourself. Well, to the three of you. And that cameraman lol
P.P.S. Not that I'm being a d**k (I still am lol) but man, what a great time to be doing nothing as the winter holidays come and reality drops real fast as your face that you cannot be fated to be with that special someone. Sorry, Natsuo, I gotta.

アニメ Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai

"It has really been a boring summer vacation" Not tonight it won't be hahahahaha

You not going to outwit the people around you to go see fireworks? Shame on you. *laughs* In the final episode (#KaguyaSama12) of this love rollercoaster because why not, Kaguya gets to go see fireworks with her friends. Not until someone stops her from doing it. "Dammit dad, I just want to go see fireworks!" (lol I just want to make a joke here) Anyways, I was expecting that to happen, so what are you going to do about it? The bodyguards are home, and even without an agenda one in a noble family can't just walk out to the streets to enjoy life like the rest of them. Well, not if you sneak out of the place. Kudos to the rope for the assist, but suffice it to say Kaguya managed to leave with help from the only personal assitant she can trust. Hey, who says there aren't people around her who wil help her? And that doesn't end there. Next up, she gotta make her way there. And since taking a taxi all the way wasn't a good option due to the traffic jam, she has to walk the distance. Until the fireworks are over. You know, despair at its finest. So yeah, this was probably where Kaguya gave up. This ingenious mind of hers who can battle anyone in school. This girl broke, into tears. Hey, if you wanted something so bad but eventually can't even reach it, wouldn't you be sad? However, this is where Shirogane stepped in haha. Hey, can't say this time round he didn't prepare as much as Kaguya did normally (no really normally it's the other way around where Shirogane just wants to school and he gets toyed around by Kaguya) since Kaguya probably thought she can just waltz out of the house to see fireworks with her schoolmates, so... what are you going to do now? Without disappointment, Shirogane appears at the right time ("YOU'RE LATE!!" haha) to make sure Kaguya doesn't feel like trash that the announcer kindly reminded the audience of the fireworks festival to pick up (wow, that link), and picked her up literally to bring her to see fireworks, for real. Obviously the world doesn't celebrate with fireworks at the same time (unless you're China because... of... time zones) (sorry China don't ban me) so Shirogane devised an adequate plan (and a bunch of lies lol) ("white lies", I call them haha) to bring her and the lot of them to see fireworks together in Chiba, and just as proven, was about 20 minutes away from the heart of Tokyo. (Okay, not true but still) (According to Google Maps it's an hour FYI, and the "Aqua Line" is a thing) Anyways, they made it: All of them got to see fireworks albeit inside a taxi (not going to talk about that driver who likes ramen too) and... Kaguya isn't looking at the lights. Spoiler alert: She was looking at how cool Shirogane was. You did it, bro. I'm proud of you. Never in my life have I ever went out of my way that much for a girl, but you did it, man. Respect. *laughs* Ah, what a story, isn't it? If you need a hint even if I didn't read the manga, the last part was probably Anime filler intended to end the series, so don't take that content too seriously besides the fact that the two still can't face each other after the incident. Well, they don't have to if they manage to bump onto each other, after much dogfighting in the office taking down two other innocent parties in the process of cleaning the room for some reason. I really liked that bump part at the end. You made me satisfied, Anime. And I thank you. Can we end the series now? I know I want more sequels talking about the conflict between the two, but then again you will have to deal with the Shinomiya family problems too. Can we just make her leave home now? Sucks to not be able to like the son of a farmer, you know. *laughs* (I guess the love isn't that deep yet, so maybe not) I'm done. My heart is filled with happiness now that I see Kaguya found hers. It's no dream Kaguya; you finally get to see fireworks in real life up close know what it feels to like someone okay nvm I can't bring myself to say that either lmao but I'll say this - I've fallen in love with you, Koga Aoi. May we meet in another Anime again hehe (Can I bump into you in real life?)

YOU GUYS WERE SO CLOSE!!!! ARGH MY HEART

Reminds you of "The Scream", doesn't it?

P.S. "...how am I to answer to your father?" F**K YOU, THE DAD DOESN'T GIVE TWO SH*TS ABOUT ME <= not Kaguya wait wha- oh. #SoManyEmotions (Also, if you can't protect me means you did a bad job and should be fired lol)
P.P.S. "Time without seeing someone will make you grow fonder" Wow Hayasaka being the author right there haha tell the director to queue the climax!! *laughs* Oh not yet?
[OMAKE BECAUSE THIS SHOW IS TOO GOOD!!!]

Kyawawawawawawa
(What I hope girls look like when they see my messages to them haha)

[OMAKE X2 BECASUE GIF FEVER!!!!]

MFW I saw how cool Shirogane Miyuki was this episode

And Kaguya be like (haha)

...

Okay I cried more on DomeKano, okay??? Kaguya may be cute but I WANNA F-

アニメ Spring 2019 Anime Preview

(Source: Random Curiosity)

As usual, I'll talk about the things I saw while reading down the list, ignoring most of the stuff I'll never watch these days and mention on those that I do. And those that I am already intending on watching.

• I thought Asakura Momo will be perfect to be in "Senryuu Shoujo" because of her frequent live behind-the-scenes elevator pitches ie. she does 5-7-5s in the lift before it reaches another floor and normally screws it up haha. 100% not watching now lol
• Thanks to Waki Azumi who voices the main girl, I'll be looking at "Midara na Ao-chan wa Benkyou ga Dekinai" [airs April 5th] mainly because she acts the main girl and I can mock her since she doesn't have a chest- okay jokes aside, but this will have a lot of perverted jokes as she tries to avoid getting distracted by her perverted father (how did she survive for this long) and her possible development in relationship to the school's best guy. I'm here for the romance tbh HAHAHA no but seriously though I am. No one's going to take me serious on this
• How did this and "Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai" not discuss on when they get Anime adaptations? Only one will prevail at this rate lol (both feature a title which makes people "unable to study" so...)
• I thought "Shoumetsu Toushi" would be a nice mystery show in modern day (and has Kana-chan) until I saw robots. Next!
• I'll most definitely not be watching "Nande Koko ni Sensei ga!?" even though the plots sound like Tsurezure Children but with teachers and their students (I mean, I got DomeKano already) and Uesaka Sumire sings the fabulous opening theme song just weeks ago which I... will not further promote here lol just no
• If it's just a deity screwing up someone's life I don't mind Waki Azumi with a fox tail haha okay I might just give "Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san" an episode tbh
• Yes, I'm watching the sequels of "Bungou Stray Dogs" [airs April 12th] because it's cooler than "Attack on Titan" [airs April 28th]. Somehow I think the latter will be a disappointment. Thank goodness for cinema staff, amirite? Also, why you want to air in Japan on Sunday nights? *sigh*
• The only show I didn't think I'll be interested in outside of expectations is "7 Seeds", which I hope is nothing but a mystery show- oh it's sci-fi? Never mind then haha

That's it. Titles with air dates symbolise my current schedule agenda, but otherwise just let me comment it's the Internet goddammit haha

On a side note, I want a mystery show, modern day. Not CSI, but like "Subete ga F ni Naru". That show brings back memories the first time I watched it. I want that suspense. "ERASED" was good too. They just don't have it in recent years.

音楽 This Week on Klassic Note

This was quite a fast week, so technically it was short, but not short on reviews. Rie fu's new album got to a conclusion as I only gave two of the English-song based album. Ikimonogakari's latest song for 15th anniversary got me hooked especially over the weekend so I'm giving it. I'm skipping talk about that game character song single since I mentioned this last week (or did I?). sunday morning bell's album after years of hiatus since I heard of them in 2012 and also last year was... actually great. Maybe too much on the mainstream side in composition lacking of their usual awkward style, but I'll take it. I seriously want to hear more of them tbh. Yogee New Waves is still not around, and Suchmos' new album is... I can't find something I like. Okay, maybe only the one because I like the instrumentals. But that's it. I guess I just have the mood to listen to this stuff every once in a while. A long while haha. Next week brings us mol-74's first album in major debut only so... that'll be great. I liked them from last year so this will get me more Twitter likes and retweets lol

On Twitter, plenty happened the moment I posted last week's issue, to be honest. Asakura Momo announced her new single to be an Anime theme song (wow production you did it), Sphere - the girls who got me into those girls in MusicRay'n in the first place - hosted their 10th anniversary livestream announcing another new single after the new album AND streaming media unlocking (YES!), ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION announced a new single for Anime, FLOWER FLOWER with a new song, Yuuki Aoi announced her new album due June since her change of music label from Flying Dog to Columbia Japan, Niitsu Yui with another new song, Ikimonogakari with a new song tomorrow (not a joke), I watched Minase Inori's new music video preview and I think it's going to be a good topic song going into the new album soon BUT (haha sorry Inorin) Natsukawa Shiina's new music video preview for her 1st album is even better (YES! x2), and Scenarioart with a new song. Wow, that was quite a mouthful did you guys catch all that? Thank goodness for bolded text, yes? No?

Lastly, I'll quickly talk about what happened over at Klassic Note, and more on the surface than in the back end. I revamped all Klassic Note playlists on Apple Music Japan under my profile (@klassicnote if you wonder) (yes Apple Music has accounts which allow sharing of public playlists) and then added them to the new Klassic Note Collection website because we don't do CD compilationa anymore. Welcome to the digital age, everyone. Again, just click on the link, hit the preview button and enjoy glimpses of music just how I felt years ago where I have to give a listen just based on that length.




Okay, I'm finally done. I thought of updating my song list tonight too but I think I've had enough. Just staring at the work PC waiting for things to happen and making phone calls is enough to make me not want to go to work tomorrow haha. Cya guys tomorrow, and if there are jokes to share from Twitter I'll make sure to share them here next week. Because I don't use the Klassic Note account for non-official purposes. Do you guys not know I have like a list of lists I use to "follow" people I like? Haha until next week everyone

Saying bad things to oneself may be way worse than people saying bad things about you.

I was just reading on tweets talking about describing a time where someone said you can't do something and you did, because it all boils down to whether you set your heart to do it. And as long as you do it, there'll be no one to stop you, unless you do it yourself. And it'll get worse if you already told yourself otherwise in the first place. That's... me right now haha

The Entertainment News 2019 Edition Issue #12

Hey.

Well, this week passed by quick. Which is kinda good I guess. Then again I did spend less nights after work this week alone, so... maybe it felt shorter? Oh well I don't want to type on this shit new keyboard for long so let's get to this lol

アニメ Domestic na Kanojo

"From my side I kept pushing in on her, and she kind of gave in to it" Sounds normal right there Natsuo HAHAHAHA 

Talk about real genius right here it's gotta be Rui-chan amirite, Natsuo? Natsuo? *laughs* On this whatever turnover of an episode (#DomeKano11) I have to turn my head over again? Okay, thank goodness this wasn't a porno lol. Let's talk about the things that ARE great haha. Firstly, the school trip. Hey, we gotta. So yeah, the guys had a wonderful time, we saw pretty much everyone in swimsuit especially the females (yep Hina-chan included), wasn't that much hype, but still. Everyone had a wonderful time in Okinawa, they played at the beach, had great time shopping, and saw the fireworks. It was a wonderful time. But you know who are having an even more wonderful time? No second guesses, haha. Anyways, let's talk about Rui. She got sad over what happened last episode obviously, and yeah, she knows Natsuo can only have one lover and it's not her (I don't want to cue any songs to describe her situaiton now tbh), so she decided to hate him for it. Well, Rui is right about why people do that to their exes lol. #RealityCheck right there, and of course she just settled things out with her sister who thinks it's her goddamn fault again for being the bi*ch (see the pattern now? I'm not even joking when I referred to Natsuo as the next guy to Shuu, but Hina-chan, man) and think she can revert things back to normal so they can- Okay Hina-chan, you try reverting the c** that flows through your w*** and then you tell me can revert back or not. *laughs* Serious things though, Natsuo got more serious in many things than other. I'm not going to re-emphasise how Miu-chan and the Kiriya-sensei were both right as Natsuo did not win the prize from submitting entries with the Literature Club but Rui won, is that he has the passion to do it. If he wants to be more than in name, then he has to work hard writing until you know, publishers can like your work haha. No really, that or you just post short stories online and get a fanbase. It's rather easy with social media if you don't write terribly haha. (I don't speak from experience btw I haven't done that yet) Also in his seriousness is to further his relationship with Hina, who now is still probably thinking on how to break up with him so she can get the family together- Okay Hina-chan the family is fine, okay?? Stop worrying about the sister and get together with the real man in the family, ok? (Sorry dad haha) All in all, quite a lot to think about as this episode reaches its climax (it probably did haha) and we're ending with a problem. Of course, it'll be sooner or later that this will happen as mentioned by Hina, but hey, how is this teacher going to stop people taking pictures of them kissing in the neighbourhood? To be honest? I'm glad it's not the bed scene photo because that'll be quite an issue to both of them haha may this series end well. I'm not going to say "with a bang" because I think I've got enough s*x for a series I just want some dramatic conclusion. To end this, if you haven't thought of doing Yocchan at any point... remember, she's married in real life. *laughs*

Again, I would be lying if my face isn't like Al's at the beach scene this episode hehe

Again, I would be lying if my face isn't like Al's at the beach scene this episode hehe

P.S. It's going to be like "I'm going to start disliking you from now on" and then later she noticed she can't keep her hands off that man!! Hey, been there done that before, am I right, Hina-chan?? *laughs*
P.P.S. Miu-chan? I think I thought of something you can do in return at the school trip haha okay yah it's bikini okay??? She's got the figure I can see that lmao

アニメ Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai

"If either would be open about their feelings, they'll be happy" Oh shit that hit Hayasaka real hard. Too bad she doesn't have someone to fall in love with? Poor thing, isn't it?

That is THE SADDEST SIGH I've ever heard a female voice actress do one haha good job Koga Aoi you've broken my personal record lol. And yeah, Shirogane, I know it's your first love but still. *laughs* In this saddest episode (#KaguyaSama11) of this series ever, thank goodness we have Hayasaka as MVP, right??? HELL YEAH F**K YOU BEACH EPISODE *laughs* Okay, let's talk about everything that happened. Oh, another sentimental episode? I really like those though tbh. Firstly, Twitter. Besides the obvious change of logo in that social media platform within this Anime world (lol it even became the official Twitter account's icon, no joke) we now know that Kaguya doesn't know of social media, and has apparently never left the browser homepage when using the PC to surf the internet. Really? Okay, we'll get to why later, but still. Hayasaka tries to teach her while taking over the staff used bathroom to take a bath alone (man, like a boss) (well she kind of is and I LOVE IT haha) but anyways, it still boiled down to Kaguya and her own ego for not clicking on that Follow button to send a request to see content on a protected account, to summarise. (If you don't understand go read an encyclopedia or something haha) You think it'll work if we teach Kaguya to impersonate someone else in a Twitter account? You know, to do the anonymous identity thing. It's not her ego by then, so she can be whatever she wants? No? It still won't work? Oh well. *laughs* Next up, Chika-chan misses Japan so much because of ramen. I know I shouldn't draw references to another Anime in title because "Koizumi-san who likes Ramen" is indeed an Anime which gets mocked on this joke real often (ie. "Fujiwara-san who likes Ramen"), so I'll just stop here haha. However, she has proven herself an expert in tasting ramen here, but then again maybe it's because she has been taught by her parents how to enjoy such a delicacy, and that itself might be impressive considering that even one of the four masters of Ramen tasting (lol debatable) bow down to her including the chef. Maybe I should really try that some time over here. What should I order again, Shoyu Ramen? Extra-thick noodles? Gotcha haha. Last but not least, a sentimental story that might be too real, but however will never happen in real life. Trust me, no one will do that. Not even me. *laughs* I'm also not going to reference lyrics from my decade of experience in J-Pop for this scene (see RSP's "Sakura"), but suffice it to say they want to meet. ("Sakura sakura aitai yo~haha" ) They want to meet so bad, they aren't connected on social media, and they technically have no official reason to message each other because ego issues lmao. Anyways, they thought they'll see each other in school in that very room but... the timing wasn't right. See? Just message on the phone and this wouldn't be an issue. You even came up with an excuse to leave the house too, Shirogane. (Kei-chan how did you just make the summer hotter than it should've been *icecream melts* haha) So yeah, there's that, I guess. I have a feeling I say that every episode but hey, it's kind of the reality of this series, to say the least. And that, I thank the author and/or production for making sure it hits us. Last but not least, the ending part. I know it's harsh to talk about the Shinomiya family, but considering she's the only and female child it spells problems to understanding Japanese family culture as a whole for discriminating female descendants. But I'll not touch on that, because as always, Hayasaka nailed that right in the coffin. That piece of sh*t of a father, really. Just go in a coffin. Hopefully by then your daughter will be truly happy. Maybe. Hey, we've got the fireworks festival coming up, and assuming the father ruined her shopping trip with the girls I just hope he doesn't step in on this one. We need a solid episode to end this really sad episode tbh imo I just... can't... please don't spoil it dad please I beg you

Abuse of staff rights is totally acceptable as long as you're personal assistant to the owner's daughter lol

I've never seen Hayasaka so content before.
I knew from here it'll be a good episode maybe haha

P.S. You may have screwed up half the summer holidays but you earned quite a lot of money, right? *looks at Shirogane* RIGHT??? No?
P.P.S. "She's as tech-savvy as the old man who runs the sweets shop" lmao Kaguya-sama don't worry I'm patient with people who can't IT just let me stay at your place as a servant haha (Oh and btw Koga Aoi if you also have problems with IT too just drop me a DM on Twitter HAHA)
[I am rather interested in the song Hayasaka was playing on her speaker(s) (twin speakers amirite? okay nvm) in the bath and... the credits did hint a title. I wonder if it's an oldie but I didn't find it online. Maybe it's going to be in the soundtrack? Oh please tell me it's going to have even a short version of it (Edit: It's likely a new song from Kusano Kayoko who has very recently - just one month ago recently - announced her artist rename to her full name from her old alias "KAYOKO") (As confirmed by composer's tweet)]
[OMAKE!!! Because who knew that erotic soundtrack would work so well on her?]

OMFG I can't even

This is quite literally Anime production making us believe Hayasaka's got the best body haha

音楽 This Week on Klassic Note

Wow, compared to last week this will be an anti-climax. I really didn't listen to anything much besides Rie fu's new album and... well it was folk music so I can't see to give anything off the bat just yet, but I did want to give a couple so we shall see. I also gave a listen to that one single from that game I'm still playing, and... Yogee New Waves did not appear. Oh well, next week perhaps? I'm so ready for them and they did not appear. Sadded.

Next week bring us... nothing. Uh oh. (Okay, there's SCANDAL new single but I don't care lol) Well, maybe I should go find new artists to listen to again? Man, the leaving of many Collection Artists are really making some weeks in Klassic Note this year a bare desert tbh

On Twitter, that Yoru no Honki Dance appearance on a flood of circle live was pretty great (thanks), Minase Inori's new album got a new promotional video teasing the topic song which I don't think will hold up just yet, and... cinema staff confirmed their new single for Anime "Attack on Titan" which will release in May. That last time is such a good piece of news, I was worried of their inactivity over the past year besides that collaboration single. AnimeJapan 2019 is also around this week, but in terms of songs I think I'll cover my ears along with Anime announcements so I can actually give a proper review in the near future.




Be sure to check out another photobook review I've done for my friend's birthday on our trip to the local bookstore (yep), and... I didn't plan for anything this weekend haha. Plenty of sleep is good for the week ahead, even though I haven't been doing that today lol. You know, DOAXVV problems, am I right? (Suffice it to say I only have time to run that free-to-play game in the weekend ie. grind to get all event rewards) Cya guys next week. I've been thinking of maintenance in Klassic Note and my PC and my deck of external hard disks, so you should at least be able to see the Klassic Note site changes rolling out gradually. Until next week, I guess.

P.S. I'll try to do more posts in "The Everyday Life" like trying to convince my sister to get me a photobook for my birthday since she didn't get me anything yet. Wish me luck haha

Fourth Book Worth of Photos: What Happened To Summer??

(Click here to skip to THE INTERVIEW)

Happy birthday again to me, I guess. *laughs*

"Heisei era's last summer", they say. Thank goodness I'll see this miracle of a photobook before the era ends, to say the least.

Hey I'm back - at a friend's request lol not really -  to cover this book in which we both bought for each other on his birthday (happy birthday bro) and for my birthday (which was like a month ago exactly) because of his recent interest in - you guessed it - Kouno Marika. Well, he got more interested in Sumipe when that music video dropped, so... be sure to check that out! lol (yeah he got no Marinka, that's the joke)

Anyways, if you still wonder what last summer was with Marinka, let me take you on a journey...
(Oh this is recently on digital too by the way you don't have to buy a physical book like me hehe)

THE ORIGIN
This came in from quite quickly after I noticed my close friend decided to gain some interest in the girl shown below, and since his birthday is coming soon it might be the first time I buy a birthday gift for a friend, and it's his day today. Happy birthday, bro. Hope you enjoyed Sumipe because I SWEAR THIS WAS BETTER hahahahahahahaha

THE "REVIEW"

Kouno Marika 1st Photobook "Marinka"
[Buy on Amazon Japan]

As you'll see below, I got this from - instead of an online store - a local bookstore. Yeah, it's not a real local bookstore considering this one is Japanese in origin and no local bookstore will import this unless you sell Japanese books, so finding these there shouldn't be a surprise. Although I would argue that the seiyuu photobooks are hidden in some corner in the store and it wasn't until I took out my phone, scrolled to the shelf number from the online website and saw its shelf listing did we manage to find the exact location in the large store for where the books resided, and specifically this. So yeah, it went a long way. *laughs* It's really easier more fun to buy locally, isn't it? I need to live in Japan haha

Let's unwrap, shall we?

This review was sponsored by Kinokuniya Singapore haha couldn't have done it without you
(#NotAd btw)

 *10 minutes of frustrating anti-theft tape and transparent cover ripping later*

The only downside to buying it on a local bookstore is that you don't get these slappped on your online purchases

 As you can see the pricing, this is technically still cheaper than the average price I spent (~$82) to buy even the pre-order version with free bromide (photo) because bulk purchases, man. Logistics 101 in case you don't know

I see these and I know I'm going to have a good time already haha I say that for all the books I've never seen before

SUMMER, HERE I COME!!~ (you can click to zoom in on the goodness; approved goddess on this one)

写真集 Kouno Marika 1st Photobook "Marinka"

(It's word play on her nickname, as the summer word in Japan is read as "ka". References if you need it)

This is seriously her first photobook, and it came out on summer, so... I died of hype last year tbh

The photobook is mostly based on stuff she did on summer just to showcase as much of her beauty as possible, not really with a strong theme but summer is a strong theme, so heck, I'll take that.

AAAAAAAHHHHHHH (More on the special free gifts later)

Hint: It's a poster (later guys, jeez)

Schoolgirl Marinka? Hmm, I don't know...

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #1:
Playing with sand. You gotta.

Wrong angle, cameraman.
*laughs*

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #2:
Play ball. Man, you gotta.

Ooo be careful there Marinka we can see your-

Can I surprise hug her now? Please?

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #3:
Breaking the watermelon
And... she missed so we returned the watermelon to the fruit store owner haha

Sexy schoolgirl Marinka? Okay...

Summer girl Marinka is best Marinka imo

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #4:
Playing with river water. It's different than the beach.

I want to be the (tunnel) wall now haha

Eh you catching bugs, Marinka? Careful they might sting your beautiful chest-

*faints*

"Ah, that was fun!" I can hear it from here

"This is for you, Marinka"
Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #5:
Eating ice cream! Hell yeah!

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #6:
Waiting at the bus stop under the hot sun? #TheFeels lol

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #7:
Travelling! Where is she going though...

It's a ryokan!
So thin, so very thin...

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #8:
Blowing bubbles! Because why not?

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #9:
Playing a retro... video game console? What is that?? *laughs*

This is to tell you to open your mouth haha

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #10:
Eating shaved ice! She just sinked into it lol

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #11:
Eating watermelon! Hell yeah x2

Under the kotatsu anyone is the best. This one is just fanservice
(That hip though...)

I can stare at this forever hehe

*speechless*

I know it's summer but must you wear such thin clothing?

Sexy Marinka is- Oh I said that already? Haha

While she's doing her toenails, I'm looking at her-

I came twice tbh haha
(Wow, this changed pace really quick didn't expect this *looks again at back cover*)

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #12:
Blowing bubbles... in the tub! Kawaii...

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #13:
Drinking champagne in the bathtub??!!

It's not just irrational it's also... very... very... *nosebleeds*
(I don't care if it's refraction with her clothed or Photoshop but I... I... *bows down*)

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #14:
Dress up in a yukata! This one is really good

Gotta show some back skin there hehe

After that Ten-chan photobook this tight top thing is really making me horny happy haha

Best shot in the photobook imo even better than the bath

She is just showing off now...

Realistic proportions from the side view many are reluctant to show tbh

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #15:
Bugs again? This time in the rocks

The scenery looks so great from here. Marinka is just making it perfect

This was the best choice as the photobook's cover the top totally sold me on it hehe

Things to do in Summer (alone)!! #16:
Having some candy apple! Gotta try that someday tbh

Trying to be yankee, Marinka? Haha nice try girl

Marinka against the afternoon sun

I hope she didn't pluck those sunflowers from someone's garden lol

Flashback time! Marinka in 2016 ara kawaii
"Ideal school life" lol really?

Okay, just a heads up from here: This is just extra highlights from her first monthly serialisation of magazine "Seiyuu Paradise R" (which also published this book for her btw) so normally this was done as a compilation but thank goodness that it wasn't because I wouldn't have spend the money to get a compilations as most of them are (and they just top it up with a couple of extra shots and sell it for money, them capitalist bastards lol)

What if Marinka was a cheerleader and a person of sports?
Well, it'll look like this haha

Her monthly serialisation, named "Ma-reincarnation", joins her nickname specifically with the word "reincarnation", talking about scenarios of what she would be if she were born... as something that isn't her. Many are literally just fanservice btw. I'll refer to the titles of each feature below as much as possible.

"(I) want to be a surfer" wow she looks like it though anyone with a rack wouldn't be a-

She just wants to take this shot haha nothing to do with surfer

"What if (I) was a nobility..."
Then you probably wouldn't be with us now haha

"What if (I'm) Marinka which is a combination of Cinderella and Marie Antionette"
Hey Marinka? Kids today don't know either of them~
(I just happen to know, I swear. I got real confused reading the katakana)

Okay this one is cute I want to marry her now haha

"What if... Marinka is a (happy) idol by day, but Hard Rocker by night?"
I'll... probably not like you as much haha please don't (not posting that Rocker getup)

"What if (I) graduated in the Showa era?"
Then I would confess to you as a senpai tbh

"What if (I) were a librarian in a bookstore?"
You'll get laid before you even come into the seiyuu industry. Wait,-

Fairytale Series!
"Momotaro" wtf

(It got into fictional what ifs real fast...)

Hansel and Gretel so this is Gretel I assume...

... and this is Hansel.
This is not a male haha

"Kitsune no Ongaeshi"
Eh... no comment haha

"Little Red Riding..." Gun?
That wolf is sooo going to die haha

Off-shots are the best, isn't it? *thumbs up*

THE INTERVIEW
For the interview, since this is the one - of those which I intentionally avoided for the other three (well, by chance) - that has such a thing, I'll try my best to note down in point form some of the highlights about her life till now with some photobook scoops:

• She was born 22nd February as 2nd child of the family, and it was a smooth childbirth, as mentioned by the mother. (lol TMI)
• Marinka as a kid is troublesome (lol). She gets lost easy so "Marika-chan is missing" is a common phrase running in the family (lol why)
• Both her parents work and she plays hide and seek with them .(haha what a kid)
• She transferred schools before when young, so her in elementary school is basically lone wolf. As soon as she makes friends she gotta wave them goodbye already. (I wouldn't haha but then again probably no phones yet?)
• It continued until middle school so the library was her friend. (No wonder the librarian fantasizing haha) But even then she had friends, many didn't stay with her until she announced this photobook to them and they be like "oh" (well so much for even just classmates)
• She got interested in the seiyuu line of work since elementary school (no wonder, from above) and Sundays watching Anime with family became a thing. (I want to watch Anime with my parents- well forget it haha) She noticed the similar voices who acted back then in those animations. (I'm not going to list the name here haha)
• Even then she didn't think of being one of them. She still liked books so Anime wasn't really a thing in her life yet. She slowly tried to voice dialogues or just read off from the books, and even did it in front of her mother. (Kawaii...)
• As she got interested in such a line of work and didn't know what it meant, at the end of middle school her mother told her to "fill in your future for beyond high school" and since she didn't really know she chose what she thought she did best, and that is voice acting since her mother liked it. (Aw...) Since reading of books was a thing, seeing the link towards seiyuu as a career became the natural thing.
• In reading of books, her image of it was of a minstrel, and thought seiyuu might be a similar line of work. However as she continued on her journey she noticed that it wasn't the case, and as much invested as she is at her job now, she still liked the idea of "conveying stories to people" and took that as her impression today.
• With that in mind, she entered voice acting academy to start her career as a seiyuu, (thanks to her mother's questioning of her future) and soon found herself voice acting the second day she entered a talent company after graduation. And it also featured recording for an Anime theme song? Wow.
• Uma Musume was her most deep-rooted series she starred in, as it expressed a lot of her acting in many ways than other and the reputations and titles she got from within the community in Japan.
• She did think about the future, like getting a bigger house for the family (#GoodKidGoals) as she continues to think for the welfare for people around her.
• She doesn't have desire for marriage (why) mostly because she can't imagine spending millions of dollars on kids and raising them until they are 20 (direct quote btw) and worrying them here and there... she thinks it's rather impossible for her to perceive at the moment. (Hey, when you're rich... haha)
• [On photobook comments] That white one-piece was her image of pureness in this photobook. And then she just wants to play around in that outfit (lol). She quickly noticed that she has to preserve that ladylike image as of the outfit (haha #ProblemKid)
• The scene with her on the tatami was reminiscent of her thinking about a grandmotherly image (as in being at your elderly's place) as she plays games and relaxed near the porch.
• The cat was called "Kuu-chan" and part of the ryokan (traditional hotel), it got in the way often so it became part of the photobook literally became MVP (lol)
• She thought she would go with an image she saw from a model when she had to do the bath scene (lol) by donning on some sort of clothing and entering in but then it just became her getting into the bath and nothing else. Of course she had a bath towel wrapped on her (what did I tell you) (DAMMIT haha) but the feeling of water coming out from her sides and between gaps (hell yeah) really made her feel embarrassed. (it was a photo shoot so she wasn't alone btw) But then the scenery from the bath outside (I'll kill all the snoopers for you Marinka lol) and her drinking the champagne in the bath made her feel like "oh I'm living the rich man's life now" and it felt good (lol)
• [On the interviewer asking if she is embarrassed with just a bath towel] (man, this guy haha) With the bath towel that has plenty of "protection" (ie. it's thick haha) so it felt like wearing a swimsuit in a hot pool? It felt more like roomwear but it also felt more like her true self (you wear bath towels in your room??) which in turn made her embarrassed.
• She also tried to show some mature side of her in the photobooks in the streets to make it feel like an "adult-like summer" (yeah, that bath scene is good enough haha) with the shooting. The cat was male, to her shock, and it ended up as a "mixed bath" (wait, what?)
• When she was playing around with the beach ball, it got washed away by the waves and back so it was between "we can't save it" and "over here over here", waving her hands and eventually she (likely it's a "they" there's staff around) saved it and she happily hugged it in fear of it being washed away again. (I want to be the ball haha)
• When she hit the bamboo stick during the watermelon splitting, it broke the stick instead of opening the fruit (lol) so it became a "takewari" instead of a "suikawari"
• She freaked out seeing a crab (not shown in photobook) and the wind was great at the rocks. It just had a lot of bugs (haha) so it felt close to the concept for summer, shooing away the bugs (haha #RealityCheck)
• [On her monthly serialisation] She thought of being baseball club manager (yay Anime scenarios), has never touched a surfboard before during that shoot, and she liked the nobility shots.
• It then went a little off into impersonations in fictional stories, talking about classics from Momotaro to western tales, letting her try out a variety of cosplay.
• Lastly, (skipping talk about Serizawa Yui lol) she was glad to be able to present a side of summer to all who bought it (hehe), told us to recommend it as a photobook that "greets the summer", and relax and enjoy reading the work.

I did enjoy this photobook, Marinka. It was great. It was worth all the money the moment I see you supposedly naked in the bath haha okay serious talk. It wasn't perfect, but Marinka this is the best I've seen you yet. To this, I thank my friend for this gift haha

...

Wow, I wrote down a lot haha that's from like, two pages worth only btw

...

In case anyone wants to read the full interview (in Japanese), I tried my best to take the shots with my phone camera (which I also read off from haha holding the book was tiring okay?):

THE PACKAGE
Because this is the First Press Edition of the photobook (it's a miracle it still exists in this part of the world #gratefulness) it comes with not just a bromide (photo) but ALSO a poster!! NOW it's really worth the money liao haha

I forgot but did they have one where she's in the bath? lmao

A2-sized poster, ladies and gentlemen.
Now I want to paste it on my blanket hehe

(On a side note, I've tried real to find out where this combination of special gifts are from since they vary across stores but couldn't find a match. Hmm...)



To end, and since I haven't bathed *thinks of Marinka in bathtub* and still don't feel like sleeping even spending my after hours doing this post (yes, right after lunch until now) (also, likely because of what I've seen), I shall finish this by answering the survey they provided. (Sorry Nan-chan) No, not going to write on it and scan. I can't write Japanese and I've not been practising haha

So... if I send back the survey before November 2018 I'll have a chance to get a Polaroid? *laughs*

The questions are:
(1) Write down the works Kouno Marika was in that you know of.

Sore ga Seiyuu!, Alternative Girls

(2) Write down the shots in this photobook you think were great. (can have many answers)

All of them (Duh! Okay I have a thing for tight tops haha they don't wear tight clothing often hehe)

(3) From here on, write down what type of outfit do you want to see Kouno Marika in her monthly serialisation "Ma-reincarnation" or any other ideas you may have.

(Eh, I don't really know a lot about that since China is not cooperative so... *laughs*)

(4) From here on, write down three seiyuu you want to see publish photobooks. (Obviously, from their publishing firm)

Kitou Akari (Because I know her and she's in the magazine photobook plz)

Tachibana Rika (Didn't we have enough already though? I don't care I want some Rika-sama bikini hehe)

-

(5) Write down any comments you have on this work and/or any messages for Kouno Marika.

(Refer to last paragraph of THE INTERVIEW) And Marinka, I want you to play games but on your own so I can have an excuse to never watch those YouTubers anymore lol but seriously, your voice was a gift to us. Thanks for everything till now, and this is for you. (Albeit half a year late and technically I didn't buy it but still)

See you guys around.