The Entertainment News 2020 Edition Issue #26

Yeah, I added more girls in there. *laughs*

And yes, I AM talking about the Wanted List page on this blog because I can't get enough of Oonishi Saori on YouTube and thought the other 3 I also added in deserves some recognition also I can now come to this place to look at their latest pics without being a creep on Twitter lol that's my excuse

Anyways, welcome back, and yeah I should've gone for more Manga reading or something but I wanted to take a break and... well, the above, so... Haha forgive me then I hope next week's post won't be a blank page since next season Anime doesn't start until the following week based on what I chose so far

Note: As of post date of this post that Anime blog site I trust hasn't published the list yet, so I'll update below whenever. Or heck, even put that on the next issue.

アニメ Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai?

"Let's say you're boyfriend and girlfriend" Kaguya's reaction to this is the best this series lmao I think I'm masochist haha

Hey, just a suggestion? That the photo of Kaguya-sama only lies within the Student Council doors? Come on, she can have a photo of her somewhere outside of the family. In this final episode of this glorious series (#KaguyaSamaS212) I can confirm that photographer is a pervert is us. *laughs* Well, representative of the male audience probably, females I don't know. Then again if you're female and you watch a shounen series I'm pretty sure you're with us. *laughs* Also, the guys's the principal?? Oops. Anyways, THANK GOODNESS there isn't any Kaguya dad scenes. Like seriously, if there were any I'm quitting haha. So, I guess a couple of shorts to end the season. Firstly, photos for the Student Council. You know, the one with Miko-chan in it. *laughs* Yeah, the principal brought his camera in to take photos, but as of family rules Kaguya is not allowed to be in those photos publicly (we will get back to that later), so he takes pictures of the others, probably pissing off the girl at the same time lol. But you know, we gotta have that private session. *laughs* So yeah, since the friends wanted it, at some points photos taken will not count towards the magazine that the principal is taking for, so that's good right? Well, she dropped her phone. Well, before you start screaming on what will happen to all her (photo) memories, don't you worry because it's a N*kia it won't break- Oh, it's Japan so they only have S*ny *rics*n? Oh that one I don't know I hear those don't last a fall from a building lol. Mobile phone jokes aside, yeah it's beyond hope (but I swear you can at least recover storage without letting the father know *wink*) (don't ask me though I'm not a Computing Science student lol) so Kaguya had to let all her... memories... go. But we're not done yet. Being positive like Hayasaka looking at new phones lol, we finally get to have Kaguya buy a new one. And just like how the President of USA has to change to a smartphone at some point (FYI it was Obama, on his second term, go look it up) for formal purposes, Kaguya got the latest model. Take that, 5G! *laughs* Anyways, she got it, but she isn't happy. I mean, her feels are like me when I don't know how to backup my PC storage as a kid. No really, we just throw the whole CPU away, no joke haha. That or if you remember floppy disks the save icon I save the most important stuff there. Yep. *laughs* Old technologies aside, we can't wait for Kaguya to be a hip teenager and start messaging day and night with Shirogane- wait a minute why only is the guy flinching at this? Then again, I would argue that if we can't talk about Shinomiya affairs then social media shouldn't be the alternative considering those have track records or what we call auditing, which can be exposed to hackers. So yeah, just talk to her. Idiots. *laughs* Ignoring that, since they can create a chat group now that Kaguya has caught up with the new era lol, they shared all their photos with her. Hey, restoration complete. And that's why you have friends. You may have lost all your personal photos (or girls you like on Instagram I hope you have saved their posts at least lmao), but photos with others they will never go away. Especially with cloud save now, it'll NEVER go away. *laughs* Sorry for the deep meaning behind all this, but hey, at least Kaguya cheered up, so good job guys for breaking her old phone lmao. To end the series, they played a balloon pump dare game. If you have seen that Takagi-chan livestream where Rieri and Kaji Yuki played a round you get the idea, but otherwise yeah it's just whoever it pops on. Not a porno by the way, Miko-chan. *laughs* ("too-pure-pure-girl" haha) (then again if she knows of such stuff is she pure though? hmm...) It's as usual a draw between two people similar to the livestream as mentioned above, but yeah, they had to end it with a... blast. *laughs* Overall, this season has brought us a lot of laughs, and in place of that shit father of the Shinomiya family we got other people's backstories instead which are great, don't get me wrong, but you know, I could do with more laughs haha. Is the sports equipment room scene the best part already? And the doctor analysis after that? Yeah, that left an impression lmao. *watches episode again* Haha okay I'm right *laughs* I would argue Miko-chan isn't much of an addition to the already screwed up Student Council (and I'm not a pedo lol) but suffice it to say that they have to add to the spice that is this Anime already so I wouldn't mind. But otherwise, did it surpass the first season? I wonder. Yeah probably, but mainly because I laughed too much on this one I forgot the first haha. And there's the "Kaguya DAY" on the actual air date ie. 27th July 2020 which showed you all the episodes thus far for the whole day with livestream talks so if you didn't tear up enough go ahead and tear up more haha. All in all, I'm glad I watched this and forgave that irritating sh*t of a narrator because now he's not irritating anymore, just like how the rest of the unhappy stuff in this show I just forget. Haha hey, I gotta. *silence* Okay yes this is a good show it's hard to get one to surpass this lol I said it I'm not tsundere like those two haha bye

Is it a problem if I put Miko-chan for the final episode of the season I DON'T CARE SHE'S CUTE haha

Is it a problem if I put Miko-chan for the final episode of the season I DON'T CARE SHE'S CUTE haha

P.S. If you don't know the "Aoharu ka yo" reference please help yourself to the dozens of translated YouTube videos of Kaguya-sama's radio show "KokuRadio" where in this season they discuss about life events that coincidentally resembles the spirit of youth (the word "seishun" ie. youth can also  be read as "blue spring" I did not provide the wrong link)
P.P.S. "I feel that you have just betrayed me" Haha Hayasaka I feel that too but it's the last episode we can cut her some slack also your enthusiasm for technology makes you a waste as being a butler have you considered journalism? *laughs*

[END OF SEASON SPECIAL!!! MORE IMAGES COME ON haha here's the sad one if you need it]

This is replacing all my "come on" messages lol

And they gotta make this action too??
WTF HOW DARE YOU TAINT MY MIKO-CHAN haha

音楽 This Week on Klassic Note

Eh... I did say I want to listen more than just the one release out this week, but, uh... I really needed to sleep working in office is more tiring than work from home haha (Please give me more excuses to use next week haha I don't have to anyways) so we're listening to Fukuhara Kaori's new single this week. It's fine, and again I have said to myself many times she sounds like halca-san who did the ending theme for the first season Anime (Fukuhara also voices the cheerleader female leader btw), and I'm glad the B-side sucks because I don't want to another Klassic Note Review this quick- Is this why recent reviews have decreased? Uh oh haha

On news concerning music on Twitter if there is any, GLIM SPANKY released a new digital single of which I did not give but I did review it so don't go on about me not giving a sh*t, Amamiya Sora's YouTube channel has music videos which have hit 100k views even though it's just a preview not in full, and... and... I can't come up with another one to make it three. *laughs* Okay this segment is really getting shorter I need to go listen to new artists now

For next week, finally and finally because of delays, SHE'S new album is going to make me happy to start July with them and hopefully we got more good songs to give. Not that I'm hoping for much, but if otherwise I promise to give those indie artist websites a visit. Man, is second half of this year in Klassic Note going to be real dull if I don't watch Anime and give their theme songs.




So yeah, I'm done. You guys saw the new mini-game in "Alternative Girls" where you... can... massage... girls now I'm not a pedo. *laughs* Pity it's part of a larger game mechanic where I have to play the games inside decently until I can earn rewards to do so, but for now I'm just going to enjoy touching high schoolers' feet. *silence* Anyways, cya guys next week then, and until next time... if this is what I get to enjoy nowadays, it's no wonder I want to buy more idol merch and apply for work leave so I can wait for them to arrive lol I'm still thinking about it though

P.S. Will change up the Anime List site to display slightly more information in a more interactive interface. So far, you can go to once again, my GitHub Page to play around for now.

The Entertainment News 2020 Edition Issue #25

I really think this site needs an update.

Well, more like, I want to change the naming conventions of the stuff around here. You know, for example, "Entertainment News" is such a terrible name to represent the Anime and music I watch and listen every week. Well, I can't come up with anything better but when I do, I guess.

Also unrelated, do you guys wear trunks before? Guys, of course. Very, very like just wearing pants without briefs. I guess not letting them balls hang around is quite a good thing isn't it? Also, briefs are like diapers I don't have to clean up lmao I hope you do haha let's start

アニメ Kakushigoto

"Are you my father's illegitimate child?" Ooo boy for a moment I thought we're setting up for season 2 haha don't DomeKano me author "Then, am I the one?" Goddamn haha

Wow for a moment, just for a while, I thought like, the father re-married. Is this why he quit his manga artist career? Such a sacrifice, this Kakushi. *laughs* Okay, jokes aside, in this final episode (#Kakushigoto12) of this wonderfully funny yet sad series... we gotta end this, right? And end this they did, this Anime. Let's talk all about it, we not doing flashbacks now we're on real time this episode haha. Firstly, about who Hime-chan actually is.Well, who the father actually is too. So, if I didn't understand this wrongly, the one guy who walked into the old house where Hime is looking through all the stuff as she was 18 now, claims that he is her brother, is not wrong because the father was somebody's illegitimate child. And yes, that I don't think any of us will expect. Of course, I don't think this is something we will infer when we refer to secrets in this series, yes? Still, Kakushi did rely on his sister to keep his secret items in an event of an incident that did happen. More on that later though. And as for the other side we know already, that the old man Kakushi was seeing in the past couple of years, is the father-in-law, and also a great painter himself making loads of money I believe. And yes also, why the family is not relying on the in-law's paycheck is because their interests in art are different. I mean, this should be obvious from all these episodes so I won't elaborate. Then, what happened to Kakushi over the past 7 years. Ah, this is the content heavy part, to be honest. Man, did they dump everything in one episode here. So, in his years of writing Tights, Kakushi himself is also trying to find back his wife. Hey, what happened to the wife, you might ask? If you believed that the mother was dead like I did, you're not entirely correct, for the wife went missing in a boat accident. Not dead until found, we call it. So yeah, Kakushi has spent years finding the wife, and with some jerk out there exposing his activities to the public, he eventually lost motivation to write his comedy story and stopped being a manga artist. He then went into doing labour which probably isn't his forte but he still had to make a living to keep Hime-chan going until at least when she graduated high school, and he did. Sadly, it was also when he got into the incident that led him unconscious in the hospital for nearly a year. Yeah, to be done by manga... he would be better off just writing them, isn't it? Which brings us to the last part of this seven year gap. Why?? *laughs* Yeah, now then we covering this I swear we talked about this halfway through already. But no less. Why? Why quit his job as an artist? Because someone exposed your lengths to find your wife? I mean, if it's a job it can still pay, so why not just continue? Well, normally artists at this point will just stop the series to make another one in hopes of changing the mood or sales or whatever in between, so he might be able to get away with this. But yeah, loss of motivation might be quite a big factor to this anyways. So yeah, last but not least, what happens now. He just regained consciousness, but... he forgets about Hime-chan. Well, not really, he knows he has a daughter. Just that, 7 years of memories have been wiped from his brain. Remember he was his by a stack of manga in the incident that got him into hospital? Yeah, that. Which is bad because suddenly Tomaruin is the editor again (still is, but to Rasuna-chan), everyone starts doing their assistant work like it's a miracle from 7 years ago haha, and the team got a new assistant... wait a minute. *laughs* Yeah, the dad just forgot that his daughter had grown up. While most of them decide to play along until he can recover his memories (including Rokku somehow, still alive btw dogs can live to a decade), Hime decided that, after hearing what the dad really wants, she really can't live with this pain anymore. So yeah, she went back to the old place, got all the works of Tights he has done over the years back into the hospital, and let him remember what happened that has been part of his life till now. Man, if you didn't tear up here go watch another Anime. *laughs* Oh and to end this, Hime-chan has a secret she now keeps from her dad: she draws manga as a side hobby now, or even in school, damn. Not dirty jokes though, more like we're going to rely on her for the next shoujo manga series hey I'm not complaining haha. Overall... wow, I don't even know where to comment. Man, was this quite a ride. Okay, I mean, if they started with this and THEN told you about the past, it wouldn't have made much impact. Although I would argue they may have pushed a little too much in telling you what may have happened in the near future, like how Kakushi has kept his secret well to the daughter, the author or production whoever did this, has managed to keep most of the actual backstory from us well too, so I would say they have done it. Making an impact. Before this I would have believed that something happened to Kakushi, unlikely dead, and he's still writing manga. But I guess not. *laughs* It's still a great series in my opinion, and just like how Kakushi managed to keep his and his daughter's live going, the Anime has gone so smoothly, I can't even complain. The weekly doses of jokes, Hime being Hime haha, and everything in between (Naru-chan!! Reporter now, by the way), this is still pretty impressive of a series overall. I, I'm just lost for words haha. Man, will I ever get such an Anime again? I doubt so. Making you laugh every episode and then dropping you the bomb? This is it, guys. I want a season two but they wrapped this one up so good, I think this is enough. Hey, Rasuna-chan you want to also give us a secret you've been keeping for yourself? We could do with a new series lol or maybe whatever your manga is we can animate that haha

This is so wholesome I can't even

This is so wholesome I can't even
(Haha well he did become the editor for Rasuna-chan)

P.S. "He was trying to run away from manga, but was crushed by manga" So if I try to run away from women will I get laid? Haha just asking

P.P.S. "Wow! A hot dude at a place like this?" Haha Hina-chan knows her stuff hey one's future is important as much as Hime-chan's one is also lol

[To end the series, MORE HIME-CHAN!!! Sorry. MOE HIME-CHAN!! Haha 10 years old one btw]

I would learn to cook for you, Hime-chan.

I would become the devil for you, Hime-chan- Wait. *laughs*

アニメ Yesterday wo Utatte

"We shouldn't have to keep worrying about what the others are thinking" THIS, Rikuo. This is it. This series in a nutshell haha

Man, Rou-kun, f**k off. Seriously, f**k off. Haha I forgot we were still here. But yeah, I hate to break it to you but, uh... I'll let Shinako say it lol. In this final episode (#YesterdayWoUtatte12) of a roller coaster ride like every other romance Anime, this one... not as exhilarating as the others until they make you numb or faint (lol), but enough to let you remember. But man, did this last one make you want to shoot yourself on the foot and then step on it until it stops bleeding. Haha okay, analogy aside because that's gross lol, story. So, if you have figured this out somehow you're great in relationships because I'm at Rikuo's level when it comes to love, the couple... eventually broke up. Firstly, about Rou-kun. Again, he's just as he is, Shinako keeps thinking that she's at fault to anything and everything anyways. Again, Shinako, not your fault, you were at his best interests. And yeah thanks Rikuo for staying around and not leaving her alone, what a gentleman. But yeah, I wouldn't blame you Shinako. Rou is always the one that likes to exaggerate thing and then make a fuss about it so to ruin other peoples' happiness. You intend to let the woman stay single forever, you shit? FANCY TELL WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR DAD, YOU PIECE OF SHIT haha okay Rou-kun can't do it anyways he's a pussy. *laughs* He ended up staying over at his friend's place too. What a piece of- Okay that's all the sh*tting I'm doing for this brat for the series. Still, this of course, will shed some light on what is about to happen. Again, it's not a bomb, but it always start out as a reflection session or something. So yeah, fast forward a little, the main two are dating, yes, but that's also where they start doubting themselves about what they are doing to hurt others, by being together. But seriously, this is the price of getting this ship going while sacrificing everyone around them? It's a small price to pay, man. *laughs* On the other hand, yeah I think Rikuo may have realised it. He is not liking Shinako enough like how Haru-chan likes him. *laughs* Maybe that's why. Maybe that's why he will go through all lengths to apologise to the poor girl who likes him and wants to see him every day after her work at his workplace at the convenience store. Maybe that's why Shinako still wants Rou-kun to be family with her, like they have always been in the past. Sacrificing selfish love together might be too big of a price to pay. Hey, did I say if you figured this out you were a love master? Haha legit didn't see this coming. But yeah, I would agree that if they carried on on their own both of them wouldn't be happy. Then again, Rikuo's infatuation and Shinako's hesitation may have played through without the people around them, but that IS life itself. It's never an alone game when it comes to relationships. If it makes you uncomfortable or you indirectly hurt someone and feel bad about it, then you gotta do something about it. I would argue that that shouldn't be how love is, making everyone doubt their actions, but this is some healthy thought man. Also, this is Japan not the West so aggression don't work here unfortunately. Eventually, Rou-kun did end up having Shinako visit him probably to make amends because she feels bad every time and Rou is a jerk lol, and Rikuo did end up choosing sloppy seconds haha okay Haru-chan I'm sorry. But hey, you did make someone happy so you're good, bro. *laughs* Haru-chan is cute, by the way, gotta give you that haha. Overall, not an ending I would have expected, but if it goes the other way around ie. they get together, it'll be real awkward for everyone else anyways, so.. maaaybe this is for the better? I don't know. Really didn't expect the series itself to regret doing the series, by the way. This show might be the first lmao. I guess I may have gotten on the wrong ship then, thinking this is some straightforward romance masterpiece. Still, I still like the mood of this series in general, as they don't really go on and on about emotions and let misunderstanding do the talking, and you know, keep things short and sweet, even in Rikuo's love reflection session with Shinako at the bench. Still, real disappointed that Rikuo isn't with Shinako anymore because seriously, we're NOT getting another season where we get to see Rikuo go out with Haru-chan and that makes me sad haha. Well, at least we know now that Haru-chan is happy, so that's good for me. Eh? Did I say I like Haru-chan? Oh? Did I though? Haha you will figure it out on my own I've got things to think of lol

This series in a nutshell haha Haru-chan kawaii

I swear teasing Shinako is going to become my side hobby if I get another season of this do I sound like a Takagi-chan now? lol

P.S, "Let me stay over" Can we even do that now? With the pandemic around?? Okay just a modern context joke don't mind me

P.P.S. "What is dating? What is it like to love someone?" Haha Haru-chan ikr I don't even get it, this love thing.

アニメ Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai?

"... I want to enjoy life more." Hey, Ishigami, don't we all?

Wow, can this series stop with all this backstory? It's creeping me out lol ANYWAYS. *laughs* In this new episode of (#KaguyaSamaS211) somehow... this ending theme song is all the more bittersweet the more I hear it. Song's coming out next week by the way; be sure to give the single a listen. So, story. Last week, we learnt of Ishigami's story, how he did something bad in middle school like beating somebody up, and became the loner he is today. This week, we get the backstory. For a reminder from here, it's Ogino the jerk, and Otomo the dumb bitc- Okay, let's start. Story goes that I guess or let's assume Ishigami fell for Otomo's charm at some point for being, you know, caring of some classmate no one cares about. Hey, you don't see those girls every day, maybe that's why. But, here's the big BUT here, he has a jerk boyfriend. Well, Ishigami found out he's cheating on her, this Ogino. And to protect this girl, he eventually went to confront the guy and told him to stop. You know, like, break up with her or something. Polygamy isn't a thing in Japan, you know. Hey, I respect you Muslims but monogamy has its advantages you know. Not going to turn this into a talkshow by the way, we have a story to tell. So, instead of backing off, Ogino went the evil way as many would have done being a kid of a noble for some reason (hey remember it's a rich kid's school here), and derided to trade his very girlfriend for Ishigami to keep mum about his... wrongdoings, I guess. But you know, as Ishigami was kind of desperate, he went the violent way to beat him into giving up his evil deeds, but you know, this influencer ended up turning the whole school on him and made him the victim, so that's kind of sad. Ishigami just ended up being suspended of school until his high school days apparently. But seriously, what did the guy show Ishigami? I'm curious now lol probably the girl naked? *laughs* (Edit: Oh, it is a porno haha) I mean... *laughs* Okay, not like anyone will understand anyways, just like how no one understood Ishigami. Sense of justice my a** that dumb b*tch can get cheated so many times we don't even care- Back to reality, and that's why Ishigami is what he is today. Quite a backstory, I tell you. But in the world of Shuchi'in, things like this happen. You're not in a neighbourhood school where everyone is an idiot- is trying to live life happily and not get into trouble. Hey, you tell me, life. Serious talk aside, I would argue that Shirogane, who eventually dug him out of the cave, was right: he could have done it smarter (like you know, gather evidence to his deeds and show the girl) instead of resorting to violence, but he did do it though. Ogino did get scared and dropped off this school because he was worried about the many times Ishigami never written an apology letter to him since like Ishigami mentioned, he can never put himself to do it. Obviously because, Ogino was doing something wrong in the first place. Infidelity, we call it. What, it can't happen in middle school? *laughs* I mean, most of us don't even have someone to cheat on yet so... *laughs* Still, and that's why Ishigami put himself together, with all his might back then, to protect this girl. All in an effort to not let the girl Otomo experience infidelity. Man, is it worth it though? I mean, I haven't eavesdropped on a man of a girl I liked cheating on her so... *laughs* I don't know how it feels, bro. But hey, I feel you Ishigami, for coming this far and worrying too much. Because worrying is part of life. But worrying won't get you anywhere. Not that it's bad, but you have to stop at some point. And with this, and the girl's appearance in the sports festival just to shit on the person who technically saved her from agony... not worth it, bro. Really, not worth it. *laughs* Anyways, Kaguya-sama might have been involved in bringing in the girl somehow (I don't have evidence but I can't beat Kaguya up lol), Shirogane is MVP this episode somehow because man did he clear Ishigami's name down to the sewers, and Miko-chan if you like a guy who will beat up someone for your happiness... Haha cya next week for the final episode then. Man, how are they going to one up this? Maybe another lockup in the sports equipment room?? *laughs* We shall see next week.

This is it guys we did it haha the slogan for Ishigami
(Well, Shirogane did hehe)

This is so gay I can't even

[I didn't think of anything in postscript because I was too engrossed in the backstory so here's a GIF for omake]

"Shut up, idiot"
(But seriously though, that girl IS an idiot haha)

音楽 This Week on Klassic Note

Well, as you should know, I didn't listen much to new songs, but I did listen to songs I've not heard of. Thanks to one Kohara Konomi (it's in her Instagram story if you have an account) she was listening to a song from Teshima Aoi's mini-album in 2008, and after listening to it... I would say it soothes the nerves from my hectic work schedule for the week. Also, it's 2000s melodies so they won't suck so bad compared to now haha. So yeah, I chose a couple along with it. Thanks, Koko-chan! You've contributed to Klassic Note once more.

Around the world of Twitter and beyond if necessary, be sure to listen to SPECIAL OTHERS' new studio live videos on YouTube because they are AWESOME hehe, Aimer is due for another new single which I hope I'll get a listen and if it's any good, Earphones' hit their debut 5 years ago so there's a re-arrangement of the debut song out for their upcoming new album which brings back memories I'm getting likes for my Tweets lol, and also listen to THE ORAL CIGARETTES home recording of "ReI", the project song for many artists which interpret the title and write a song in their own way. I've only heard theirs and I can already say theirs are the best haha

So next week, we're finally on to Fukuhara Kaori's new single which is in time for Anime "Kaguya-sama" to end next week too, so... don't worry the song has grown on me and I've heard the music video in full so I know it's good already. Next season there's halca-san so I'll have to worry about that lol. Surprisingly, listening to the livestream of Anime "Kanojo, Okarishimasu" it ain't too bad, because it isn't an emotional song. Thank goodness haha




Well, I'm done. Excuse me while I drop by Isobe Karin's new broadcast series announcement livestream right now since I'm done with my weekly assignment lol. Also, have to go back to workplace tomorrow so that kind of sucks but that's better since I technically have nothing to do and I'll be able to find something to do by then hopefully. Cya guys next week then, and until then... well there are a couple of posts when you click backwards for the week so be sure to read them all! Until next time... I need to sleep more haha getting tired from work already considering we don't have to take work leave for any reason now lol bye

The Klassic Note Review 2020.06 Issue 1

Didn't expect this to appear on a Sunday but whatever. Even better, because I doubt this will take my work stress away if it appeared on a weekday that stack of photos with the new photo albums I bought yesterday will do more than that haha

Hey, we're back!! I don't think we broke the seasonal review thing here, but hey, I'm trying. This time around, it may not be a familiar name, but it's a veteran. It's "ta-shi-ka", by the way, if you heard me clarify this on Twitter. *laughs* Yeah, screwed that up for like 7 years. Thanks, intro to music video haha. So, let's get to it! I've got Anime to watch later to let's be quick lol not where this is the theme song though

音楽 The Klassic Note Review

tacica - aranami [Single]

Regular Edition

Anime Limited Edition

(Despite the simplistic cover of nothing but lines, I would argue they paint a distinctive image for the songs themselves)

Origin: The year was 2013. I was in an... overseas assignment for a couple of weeks. In my world without smartphones and the Internet back then, I chose to bring my handy MP3 Player with me on the go. And since I watched the movie recently then, I chose to review album "Solanin songbook", and this song was the only one that caught my attention. Fast forward to maybe last year, where I also reviewed the actual single and gave another song; tacica didn't really leave much of an impression in me, but the songs that I gave were still ones to remember. Knowing that they are veteran and digging through their music library isn't really a thing for me now, I decide to just give them whenever I hear them. And in came this music video on YouTube with an Anime tie-in, and this must have been the most impressive I've heard of them yet. The rest, was history. I gave the other song in the single, and I know, I have to talk about it. Let's see what actually makes this veteran's comeback so worth talking about!

(1) aranami [Raging Waves]

From the 1st chorus:

"Ignoring today, about what (we are) doing tomorrow

Get rid of it today while we're still talking (about it)

(Like the) raging waves of everyday life, do not chase away the unexpected"

This song... hmm how do I start. It's a nice song overall, to be honest. Everything in part of what is not wrong about a song, they have nailed it all. No bridge, great choruses and verses... I can't even start to complain about the song. That's my impression when I first heard it on YouTube, and also my first step into giving this single a listen. I know it's an Anime theme song so they don't try to screw this up, but for even an Anime theme where many have failed this one is a resounding success, I must argue. For the lyrics, it's rather simple, and considering the vocalist's complicated tastes in composition and lyrics, I'm not going to praise on his writing, but rather compliment him in how he still makes the songs as awkward overall as they are lovely. No really, fitting into the theme he did. And that, I'll take it.

Rating: 4 Stars (Above Average)

(2) Zouge no Tou [Ivory Tower]

From the 1st chorus:

"(I'll) borrow the remains of (that) form

So to accomplish (it) until (it) ends

As the world of fate continues and continues

(I) wish (I) could laugh away the days and carry on"

If "SOS" is all you remember about this song, you're not alone. The reason or more than that, which gave this single a thumbs up, is again, not how awkward the song might feel to you. No really, this is normal in tacica, trust me. While giving the song some thought, I remember liking the feels of the song, from the introduction which made an impact, and this is also reminiscent of early 2000s songs. I know, it feels old, but this reminiscent style is also tacica's strong point, and I think with two singles down in review (the other being 2009's "Penguin Elegy", not all songs given by the way), I have faith in liking this style of theirs, just like how there is faith in humanity, as written in the lyrics. It feels mystical, but also reflcting on real life, and that's kind of cool. The downside to this song might be the short yet inadequately placed bridge and the sometimes abrupt ends, but I'm not going to complain. This is song to be a song to remember, at least for me.

Rating: 4 stars (Nicely Average)

Conclusion: I would say reviewing their single from a decade ago did help make this review happen because what they have in their styles is nicely represented in this single, and I'm not complaining. Otherwise if you like the Anime I suppose this one fits the theme well, and if you have not heard of this duo, you might want to give them a chance. It's refreshingly different, you'll grow to like the like I do.

-Kaineng, on the Klassic Note

THE PACKAGE

Package wise we got another digipak case which in many cases help save resources on conventional jewel cases which also take up more space, but unlike many digipaks I've seen so far (thanks, Chatmonchy!) this one doesn't have an inlet to keep the booklet which is, in this case, just placed inside the flip. Thank goodness for the sealed protective cover otherwise I wouldn't know how to keep this lol oh yeah there's the covers I bought lol

Looking inside and opening up the booklet, then did I realise it's not a booklet. It's... just a big piece of paper haha. No really, I thought it was a joke too when I saw a reminiscent single I've reviewed like 5 years ago looking like this. Still, the booklet of course, gave more insight of the titles of this single, specifically the B-side which in this case has a non-Japanese title as seen above, which is "tower d'ivoire", and... I think you can read the definition yourself haha. Overall, what I expected from this package. I mean, if you're expecting like a bromide or postcard from this you think too much really

This is it, I guess. Later today I'll come in with the Entertainment News for the week, so be sure to read that too. Cya guys then, and until next time... I hope you have been listening to songs, because I haven't. Upcoming releases in Klassic Note is real empty I'm resorting to listening to Teshima Aoi this week some how haha I don't know now maybe I could go up the Ivory Tower to get some realisation myself lol bye

The Entertainment News 2020 Edition Issue #24

Yeah, that package arrived this week. Guess what I was doing all weekend.

If you didn't say work you're out haha part of it was still work. And after that? Well, besides the bunch of games I'm obliged to play on a daily basis, scanning every single one of those photos I just bought. Yeah, I'm a real otaku now haha

Anyways, let's clear this burden enjoy the best part of the week!! Hey, don't quote me on this but Anime is better than real life drama (lol talk about myself here)

アニメ Kakushigoto

"I'd like to hold a family meeting" Wow Hime-chan being the head of the household now I didn't even know lol you think she's bigger than the grandfather? *laughs*

"It doesn't matter, they just want to have a meeting" Haha that can never be more true but somehow working from home recently due to the pandemic is making this less frequent lol which is bad news actually miscommunication is the devil that'll come back to haunt you if you don't deal with it. Hey, in this new episode (#Kakushigoto11) we talk about meetings. Many hate it, some like it, and some are just to "show face" as we colloquially call it here, but it's all to align ourselves at the same page. The characters in this series aren't though, otherwise it'll not be a comedy anymore lol. But yeah, somehow Hime-chan wants to have a family meeting. Yeah, it's just two human who will be involved, and the daughter be the serious type, so she's just taking things a little formal here, I assume. But yeah, as Kakushi and Hime-chan's classmate mentioned, you can do this anywhere. My family's typically on the dining table lmao yeah we only talk during dinner time. But yeah, somehow three of them being relieved of their worried through quite a big misunderstanding, still worked for all of them to know the reality of having meetings, and well, all is well. But yeah, who gives a sh*t about your editors' meeting, Tomaruin. *laughs* Talking about this idiot, he then thought of the greatest idea that would change everything... before this episode ended lol. It would seem like Tomaruin is just trying to get the editor-in-chief and Kakushi to meet up so he can eat good food since someone that is not him is paying for it. Wow, and they both have bad feelings about why do so too at a time like this? Man, you really like to Toma-ruin things, bro! Just stop. (Yes come back for more adequately used word puns made by yours truly) Things got real awkward with the two victims of Tomaruin's excellent dinner plan (because he just eats), and has good reason for Kakushi to believe that his manga series has to end. Well, apart from the bad idea of ending a series because he'll effectively run out of a job since he has no new ideas just yet, the assistants finally get to have a break. Hmm, must be tough just doing a weekly series for... weeks and weeks without breaks as they would like to take as and when they like, but yeah, the series suddenly got good so we can't end it now. *laughs* Well, Kakushi eventually found out that he thought his series was ending haha. I mean, them assistants (including Keshi-kun) (gotcha covered, bro) should still get a break though. Then finally, the meeting. Because Hime-chan finally found a well to have a meeting lmao (again, you can have meetings anywhere), she and the father finally can talk about... holding a birthday party. Yeah, that's it. What do you think the 10-year-old is thinking? Okay, 11-year-old since her birthday is over by the time I write this, but hey. *laughs* It was all great (Tomaruin gave a gift to Nadila wtf), Hime-chan is cute I'm not a pedo (lmao), and Kakushi made mountains of karaage. (Wow, that karaage ramen I had this morning bought from Japan is great you know) Good job, dad. Well, not really, but hey, we don't know yet. To end this, in this week's reverse flashback, wow Rokku has grown real big haha, and Hime... she finally found the entry to Kakushi's secret. What is might be? I guess next week's the daughter confronting the father (I assume he's still alive) then. Hmm... please tell me this is a good ending. I want this to end happy, to be frank. If it's the sad ending? (Illegitimate daughter? What??) Well... I can imagine what it's like already, but I'm not like all of them who like to be misunderstood, so I'll see next week on what will be the conclusion for this series. Man, this deep lore is not what I expected; it's so deep, it's deeper than that well Tomaruin fell into haha

What is this, the Soviet Union? lol
(But seriously though, worker benefits for your assistants, Kakushi)

When someone says bad things about my girl lol

P.S. TIL thinking about an idea for a new series for a new manga artist is an editor's job wtf them kids can't think of good ideas themselves? Haha well they probably want practicality in this so like, a success formula maybe. Like you know, it's not a harem if the guy knows who he likes already. *laughs*

P.P.S. "I only gave (Tomaruin) the copies; there's no way we will give him the original manuscript" Haha even the assistants know the editor like to Toma-ruin things I guess they learnt their lesson lol

[Because Hime-chan is cute and the reverse flashback is bad for my heart]

How can she continue to surprise me with her sleeping I don't know

This is so cute I can't even

アニメ Yesterday wo Utatte

"You sound different than usual. Is someone else there?" Haha Shinako got found out!! Quick, hide in the wardrobe- Is what normally people will do? lol

Yep, Haru-chan wants some protection from you, Rikuo. You can't run away now. *laughs* Wait, you gonna sleep at her place?? Oh, I underestimated you bro I thought she's going to your place haha. In this I wouldn't even say bizarre new episode (#YesterdayWoUtatte11), I mean... this is pretty much decided already right? Who Rikuo is going to be with? I mean, he's eating at her place?? Well, I don't mean Haru-chan, by the way; That's one's just for the break-in. *laughs* Let's start from the top, shall we? Story goes that Haru-chan's place got a break-in, and thanks to the cops, the guy probably got caught, but you know, there's the trauma of a break-in still, to any extent. Out of kindness, Rikuo decides to stay with her for the night, and don't ask me how he even came to her at any point because I don't think they were together when the break-in happened haha that will be WILD lol. But yeah, it's not much, so we shouldn't think too much into it. Though we should focus more on the main couple's relationship, and specifically, how everyone is going to learn of this bond. Again, hurting others along the way is unavoidable, so I don't think both of them should avoid it. Firstly, from Rikuo. This guy man, enjoying all the cooking that Shinako offers, is getting bento every day for work until the colleague wants in on the action. Well, girls, not his girl. *laughs* So much so that we see the point of them hanging out to eat and such, you know, dropping by his place to cook too. But yeah, Haru-chan decided to pay Rikuo a visit on the night that he called Shinako over for dinner. Man, this world of coincidences will only create more misunderstandings haha. So yeah, this is rather inevitable, and thank goodness Haru didn't drop the bagels and coffee (lol), because it's not worth it to do that for that one guy which you like seen going out with who he likes. I mean, that also means the war is over though. Remember the challenge issued from Haru-chan to Shinako? Yeah, we can confirm the results now. And as this hits Haru-chan, again we knew this is going to happen, but I can sincerely tell you I would hate to see Haru-chan cry. Like seriously, they gonna make her cry AGAIN!! Well, there was the break-in though so I think she got used to it haha O~kay that's a bad thing to say now sorry I gotta make my jokes somehow. Moving on!! We got another idiot who's going to hit the wall again haha. Yes, we're talking about Rou-kun, who after a quick time lapse of has been secretly making bentos for Rikuo from Shinako lol, has passed his entrance exams. Hey, keeping the secret was vital in making him succeed. But the thanks are good, she can't go steady with you now haha. Ugh. *laughs* Just before we hit Rou-kun hard, let's talk about Shinako hanging out with her teacher friend. And as the friend mentioned, it's really important for Shinako to do what she likes now, even if obligation is in place or whatever reason is stopping her from like, you know, going out with another guy. (Haha I like how there's "an eyewitness" lol how resourceful are your friends, Shinako? lol) I guess the bigger problem is that it's making her guilty somehow. Like what, you guys aren't actually going out if you don't spend big bucks to go to Disneyland? Who cares?? If it doesn't make you happy then don't do those. Screw those normies (sorry haha) out there; do whatever even if it means just hanging out for dinner or something. You know, it's always these small stuff that make of a couple, not the once in a while gift bomb lol. Okay, back to Rou-kun. He graduated, Shinako went with him to pick up an attire for the ceremony I suppose, and I swear Rou still thinks she doing all of this for him because it's family. Okay, he may not be wrong, but can you even take it if she lets go? Or if you know about whatever her life is now? "Without You"? (sorry for the Yoru no Honki Dance reference lol) Haiz this is hard to pit against this kid though, considering how weak Shinako is in her emotions and actions. Maybe comfort zone, maybe guilt, maybe she can't keep a secret. I would argue that say like in "Servant x Service" Ichimiya didn't have to go out with her girlfriend because his sister's birthday is in Christmas Eve but the girl also had stuff to do on that day so it's fine?Which is why I think that obligations aren't a problem if (1) you keep a secret and (2) everyone else doesn't mind. Both don't apply in this scenario though haha I guess that's the problem. And as they hold off their plans to do anything else because of obligation as I would like to refer to now haha, Shinako... Shinako just wants to be together with him. That's all. So pure. *giggles* I like. *laughs* And in some freak coincidence, Rou-kun shows up at her place. Oh well, but NO WHY NEXT WEEK haha yeah so this is going to end even more dramatically compared to this week? Well gg guys this kid is going to ruin everything now. I really don't want a train wreck, Anime. But hey, it's kinda unavoidable, don't you think? Haha let's see how well this goes next episode then it's the last, and I won't expect it to end well. No really, don't.

Really, really envious on what these two can do now tbh haha

Really, really envious on what these two can do now tbh haha

P.S. "So have you seen Shinako-sensei recently?" Oh yeah, Haru-chan. You think? *laughs* Haha Rikuo is scared right now lol that's what I call a conscience bro lmao you don't have to though

P.P.S. "That's 630 yen with your employee discount" Wow Kyouko is this the kind of staff privileges you give to your worker? Damn  I would say this is not good enough haha "I threw in some coffee" Okay that's more like it lol

["What's the meaning of this?" What, I have to answer to you now, SONOFABITCH?? Haha is what Shinako will never say but that's next week's problem]

Sad Haru-chan is sad so here's happy her hehe

Sad Haru-chan is sad so here's happy her hehe
(Okay maybe not haha)

アニメ Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai?

"Because Shirogane Kei is in her rebellious phase!" So you grill your bro on his love life? Come on, be a better sister here haha

Ah, Kaguya, what have you done to your Shirogane? Like seriously, "return us our Shirogane" is what most of the female audience would day haha.  In this new episode (#KaguysSamaS210) Shirogane Miyuki... actually sucks. *laughs* Sorry, Kaguya-sama, but if you were to marry him you need to bear his complaints like a whor- Okay, where were we? *laughs* Oh, before we start? You know Kaguya is taking breaths from being too close to Shirogane when she puts her hand to her face. Remember that and watch the episode again. *laughs* Okay, story. Firstly, Shirogane after being avoided like a bullet from Kaguya. Well, we know what's the reason, they played two episodes of it already. Problem is, the guys doesn't know. So yeah, he is just depressed at home now, and thus, the proper introduction of the members in the household. Surprisingly, Kei-chan the sister is still the most useful for advice as despite the father's efforts of trying to hear his son out, his advice as a father who had the wife walk off on him, refusing to sign the damn divorce papers and not having a job currently wtf, still has a worse love life than his son who is trying to get one. *laughs* Take that, father!! Haha anyways, from this we can deduce that the sister is a masochist haha I mean, getting shitted on by the brother all year long and still wants to give advice to him? This can only happen if- Moving on!! *laughs* Someone lied about his skills again. This time, it's about the traditional Japanese soran dance. No as in, we know who it is, it's Shirogane. Teaching him again is a pro artist and everything is perfect about her besides her temper, Kohara Konomi Fujiwara Chika (lol Koko-chan don't hit me) (but seriously if you need evidence I have them haha), is again at the behest of this motherf**ker who lied through his nose for the nth time since we have to go through his life lessons (literally) again and again, could not even do a dance just by following the dancer. Seriously, Kaguya, even if you stepped in it wouldn't work on him haha. So, Chika-chan like seriously and I agree with you girl, has had enough of his lies, is probably giving up on teaching him even if it means destroying her pride because even if she has one it's already gone. So, with the sports festival upon him, Shirogane has no choice but to learn it himself till the day comes, and that's where Kaguya comes in. Besides her earnest desire to touch his slender, pliant body (lol I'm not gay btw) she intends to use this opportunity to teach him stuff so that she can show how good she is at dancing? Well, not until Chika steps in and noticed it. In the conflict between science and art approaches to dancing which I think you can watch yourself, the two friends ended up quarrelling with each other on what they know about the dance. Somehow Shirogane got how it works though and manages to nail it in the festival, so good on you bro. *laughs* (I want to me pulled by two girls too hehe) Then, it's... Miko's friend? Yeah, let's call her that I still don't remember her name. Her observation, of Ishigami's life. To summarise, people might think Miko-chan and Ishigami might have something, but it's because this somehow special bond is only forged because they all know each other in middle school (obviously, Shuchi'in), and... Ishigami almost got expelled and it's Miko-chan who brought him back. I don't think he knows, but you know, love is a secret in itself. Haha Miko-chan don't kill me. Still, according to... the friend lol, and that's why people today hate Ishigami, because he had such a past, and how he was saved without knowing what he did to himself. Again, it's a bit touchy anyways, and hey it's youth, so I won't dig in too much into that. If you want to guess who Ishigami went violent for... I don't know. I don't want to know haha. So, last but not least, the sports festival. Besides the fact that his (useless) (unemployed) father is creeping him out haha, Shirogane technically has to stop the father from finding his girl, because you know, the dad sucks. *laughs* Okay, about that, and you know the father is going to slip away to a corner just to... corner the girl she likes, you know, like a confrontation? Funny thing is then, Kaguya doesn't know of the father. Really? Not even though the voice? Well I guess she isn't blind so her hearing isn't heightened and it's a terrible quality phone call but. Still, Kaguya's argument thus far as from episode 1 (of season 1) is still that she like him for who he is in impression. I mean, we know how terrible the guy is at his home, but hey, Kaguya doesn't know of that. Now you know why they say "marriage is life's grave"? I mean, look at the father. *laughs* So that's that. *laughs* Wow, are we close to ending this series, and I expect something better than the last. Remember, we have seen a lot of fathers this week which reminds us of someone else's father missing in action. So good chances Ishigami's father might have something to do with the ending haha bye (yes I lied)

Things that hit me hard this episode

Things that hit me hard this episode
(Ah, well, TIL Miko-chan is a sadist lmao)

P.S. "It would be like brocon!" I mean, it's not obvious though, guys? *laughs* "To Kei, that would be too humilitating" Ah right, I forgot what this Anime is already lol 

P.P.S. "She's been hanging out and talking normally with another guy I know" Oh that's Ishigami haha

音楽 This Week on Klassic Note

Hmm, I guess I should talk more about Akarin's album then. *giggles* Kitou Akari's 1st album is... okay I guess? As with many voice actress idol-based music albums this one is similar as the production try to explore as many styles and especially genres, for future developments for the artist herself. This one... I believe it has given her more variety, although I would argue those aren't the ones I gave haha. The topic song with a music video is a meh, there's one song which sounds like when Minase Inori released an album ie. inspirational so I gave that chorus real good, and you know, Akarin's great as hype songs and I'll take that anytime of the day. Although I would argue that I would like more.. you know, seducing songs. I mean, Akarin singing that Sumipe song would be GREAT though it'll be hard to sell the music video haha she has no rack and butt THEM LEGS THOUGH lol

Talking about stuff that is still music and it's on Twitter, VELTPUNCH announced their upcoming album to be on August after revealing their third music video for the past 3 months (which is actually good), Yoru no Honki Dance's new music video and digital single is fine I guess but I'll wait for an album or single release, I assume to prevent spamming Amamiya Sora's music YouTube channel is up with short versions of the music videos thus far, and it's probably not related to music but I just want to say, Minase Inori opened an Instagram account on account that (pun not intended) there is out there an unofficial account raking in followers, including me. Don't think I remembered this too well but I don't follow fan accounts so I suppose it's real. Maybe I really thought it was a related account to follow back then. That or maybe their account is hacked. But thinking about it all these years, it's always mirroring of content from Twitter and hardly anything that is original so I suppose it's not real haha uh oh

So next week... it's a whole lot of nothing, actually. Until the following week I may spend some time to listen to more songs from other artists, I guess. I don't know if it's recent events or the lack of active artists that made this happen, but as you can see in Klassic Note just this year, it has not been looking great. Yeah, my follow-up on these since I am working is already weak in comparison to the first 10 years, huh.




So that's it I guess. Another week, another post. *laughs* Okay, there's that one big thing this week following my efforts to scan every single of those 60+ photos I bought online because I'm bored at home haha, so go check it out. Maybe when I'm done I'll put them up on that Github Page so I can admire them in the digital world without having to see them physically. Also, I need another photo album my current has reached its limit and my local MUJI is not open to sell them yet haha. Cya guys next week then, and until next time... well I'm trying to stay happy, and so should you. Hey, Yoru no Honki Dance's music video is a good one; go listen to it. Okay bye

The Pandemic Upturn Shopping Spree, 2020 Edition

I have taken note of not crediting that damn virus and the year just in case I want to come back to look at this page again haha I don't want to be scarred of the past lol

Hey, welcome back. *ahem* Welcome back!! *giggles* And if you thought this is an auction house trip again, no no, you would be terribly wrong. Which is why this is still counted as not outside of the circle which since the last time I told myself not to do this again, but hey, this is technically just buying (with the same charges ugh) but you know, that's what happens when you're cooped at home all day lmao you have a lot of time to start thinking of acronyms for your post titles like, a month ago haha. (If you didn't notice the title stands for "puss" haha not getting any though) I know right? It's only been like, 3 months since my birthday too. I guess that pay raise is making me stir crazy at home because of the pandemic outside. Or is it the opposite? Haha I don't know now 

So yeah, I'll just show what I learnt from this, and of course, show you all what I got for myself. Warning, it's A LOT. Like seriously, that box is the same dimensions as the other box of cup noodles from Japan and costed 10 times as much lmao okay let's start

HOW IT HAS COME TO THIS

If you would follow with me on a journey, I would tell you how long this took and what obstacles stood in my way. The longest journey, too.

In the bigger picture it's due to the many items that were sold in view of the events (not) opening within the year (that have been cancelled) so they have to sell their goods online and that's when I come in to snatch a couple of stuff I like which I will talk more about in other posts, but this one package of finding not the newest stuff is specifically based on two guidelines: (1) No auction betting to pay more than what I can chew. Haha yeah that is actually easy there are physical stores especially in Japan that sell photos of beautiful women (not gravure, haha) and also online btw and I'll just pay for international shipping while aiming to get free local shipping. And to show a large sample for such an operation to cover all the auction trips I've made for a sampling, (2) this package should contain 50 items. Yes, FIFTY. INDIVIDUAL. PHOTOS. Again, stir crazy figures right here. For comparison, the last time I went to the auction house, I only came back with a fifth of this amount.

So, thanks to Suraga-ya through Rakuten, I managed to find myself FIFTY different photos (as we will call them now) of a variety of girls I know of probably with the similar objective of that previous auction post: to find people to pad the list of girls who took too many selfies lol. BUT, here's the big but, things didn't go too well. Turns out, if I were to guess, the store did not really update regularly their stock, so every time I order in batches of 10-12 photos, I always get my order rejected. They did not state their reasons for rejection (I can read Japanese btw), but suspect is as long as they see ONE photo that is not in their store anymore (physically) they reject the whole order. At this point, around a week of doing this to and fro choosing other photos and sacrificing those I saw in first impression *sigh* then did I come to realise that yeah, the store did not have a way to check for stock. So I was bring an idiot doing this back and forth for like a week, reducing whatever I chose of the 50, eliminating as they slowly update the sold-out stock online and then ordering the remainder again (you need to reach about an average of 10 photos to get free local delivery and I was taking advantage of that), and again, and again... I was not being smart haha.

(What it looked like playing with them for more than 2 weeks. In general, it's a bunch of order confirmed emails, and then every single one getting cancelled on their side)

So, I tried other options after getting fed up of literally helping them stock check on their online store for 3 weeks lmao, I went back to my shopping friend from Japan, Buyee. Yeah, same place as the post last time. But again, what is different is that no auction. And surprisingly, I can find products from Suraga-ya from there. Problem is, you have to pay extra service charge because besides knowing that they do charge more since they are buying on the store on your behalf.... they also tell you which ones are out of stock. Well, not exactly which one, so I was basically doing trial and error until I can find enough to ship one pack of them. Yeah, it was somehow more tiring doing that for a week than what I've done above, by the way. So, by now you should have seen that it's already not worth it. Then, as I was looking around in Buyee, I got myself a coupon.

"Free international shipping for first time buyers", huh. I could save a lot for shipping anything home and even though I have to pay for service fees, I still think this was a huge discount over the whatever other two methods I've done to burn all my energy (not money) (yet) into just trying to buy stuff off the Internet. And so, still not auction by the way, I went shopping on Buyee's new partnership and probably co-owned online store, Mercari. Yes, there's a Western region version but if you go there you won't see photos of female voice actresses in Japan, I promise you. *laughs* So yeah, on Mercari Japan, since this is relatively a new store, there aren't many things on sale, but this works similarly to many stores out there today that are online which I soon realise work under the same framework: No auction, seller's list their prices, and there are options for selection. Yes, you cannot negotiate for prices, but you can choose what to get. One may wonder why you can do that, but suffice it to say if you have a dozen photos not all will want to get the whole set, so they can just write in the comments what they want specifically, and prices can be negotiated then. Yeah, that's the future. Go to Otamart which forwards to FromJapan for more examples. But since I'm at my trusty friend here who still provides the most reasonable service fees till date, I still went with here, and remember, there's the coupon.

So I'm finally at the point where ordering integrity wouldn't be an issue, but surprisingly, getting my package stuffed took a lot of time and to and fro too. Mainly due to seller rejections, but also ordering this much will take time, compared to buying it from a standard store like Suraga-ya, so time wise it's similar to auction. Not going to bore you with details, but there are some that you will notice later in the unboxing list of items are lacking of like my dear imouto Natsukawa Shiina because those sellers rejected most of the items I wanted which is a pity. But yeah, bearing the sadness from Suraga-ya saying farewell to many photos that I couldn't get are already out of stock before I even clicked the button, I continued on to reach the number I was aiming for. And finally, after a month and a half since where I started, I got all the stuff I... may have wanted since the others I couldn't even get anyways haha. Problem is, also I would blame Taketatsu Ayana (Ayachi) for this, but because I saw two sets of her photos which are relatively new (like her marriage lol) I ended up with something larger than 50.

It was 60. *laughs* And yeah, at this point it's a sixth of that other box. *laughs*

And finally after all this work it's ready to ship off (with the protective packaging as you'll see in a while) but MAN has it been stuck for a while. I received this today (at home, because you know, work from home) along with another package (which you don't have to know it's just cup noodles from Japan, search for ZenPop) because somehow both were stuck in Japan's post office for... about 2 weeks? (The two weeks which I got a break off my weekends which will probably NOT happen this weekend lol sob) Yeah, both of them, as both also shipped out of the warehouses around the same date period. Really was about to go complain but as I wanted to, it got updated so I calmed down haha. All in all, quite a journey to get what I want, so let's see what I got for myself! It's show-off time!! *laughs*

Wait, you asking for real intentions? I've not been spending much money since the quarantine and my savings is increasing, so... haha

WHAT WAS DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND

The biggest difference here is that, well, we're not playing around in the auction hall. Which is why this isn't Part 3 of the "Auction House" series (lol), but a separate one where I visit an actual store without negotiations in price.

For doing this, we avoid waiting for auction time to expire. Even if I snatch the ones that are ending soon (you can sort that) or just snipe bid the items, it'll also take a lot more time then if I just bought... not exactly directly, but compilation of all the items would be way easier than you think. I did burn out my debit card purchases though, because I swiped by card for about 20+ times within an hour, the bank just deactivated my card and I had to call back to say it's not a scam and that I'm scamming myself because of Japan lol. As an indirect consequence, you will also see less items on single but more in bulk, which is kind of what I observed and eventually collected over the time I was shopping around, which is good, but I guess it's also based on timing as in auction either you reset your item so that it can be listed again, but you don't have to do that for in Mercari's case or even Suraga-ya, but the latter is disappointing so we shall not talk about that haha

But sadly, as I found out, and if you didn't see above in the intro, the charges became similar. Again, Suraga-ya may have made it worth it, but thanks to the one coupon it's kind of break even? I wouldn't say that though, because as of Buyee service policies I'm paying the same rate as an auction item and as a purchase from Mercari, and the more you buy the less service fee you pay, just like the auction. To add on, the uncertainty for items to arrive will still exist, as I see my rejection of items somehow appear more often than every if we don't consider Suraga-ya at all, because the auction items are refreshed so we know the buyers are active behind each item, to say the least. Who knows, if it's automated then I guess it's no difference besides the one I mentioned above. Seriously, it's because of the coupon waiving international shipping that made this still the cheapest per item trip I made so far, and I'm thankful for that. It might have costed way more without it, I would argue.

Overall, the only upside is really the ease of purchase as I don't have to deal with dates considering I'm taking care of up to 30 sets of items at once, and if it's all auction it'll be quite a pain to deal with if overloaded with failed bids. Otherwise, I might say this time around it's real assurance to see that Buyee is still really reliable in being the middleman between us and those Japanese pirates (lol) to the extent that I won't even get scammed because they will send us emails and ask as per the original product description if I want additional packaging or not, translated. Yeah, you heard that right. I think I said no haha because it's not worth much. We'll talk about what's the threshold for that later hehe

WHAT IS HERE

So, and in case you missed the one not photobook I reviewed last month, please go take a look, and I consider that as Phase 1 at this point, so be sure to go take a look. Phase 2 is what you are about to see here in images, and Phase 3 we will talk about later. So, PHASE 2 UNBOXING!!

1kg in net weight after package consolidation, by the way.

Package without the wrapping
(Man, Japan, you impress me) (High shipping fees too)

It's this much bubble wrap, unwrapped

Yeah, it's a lot.

The real meat, and still there is much wrapping because you know, Japan.

As you can see in the images below (sorry for the terrible shots because why make it look good haha), since I can't put all in one mat, this is most of what were inside 29 packages with a total of 60 items- Ah, about that.

When I opened the largest packet of photos (of Hanazawa Kana by the way, second image above) (yes there are 3, can click in to see) of supposedly 16 items, I counted and found out that... they gave more. Hmm... because all the descriptions and/or the photos of the... photos (lol) would show how many each sold set contains (one image but writes "set of 3", for example), it would be easy to tally the numbers before I even receive them. (You'll realise how cheap some of the sets are compared to the one expensive one) (yay Akarin lmao) *looks at product page again* Ah, it's not written, but if you zoom in (or if you have them like me hehe) on one of the items was not a single photo but a pack of 4 (for 400yen!!??) (what is Kana-chan to you bro lol), which means... let me calculate again, it's 19 for that, so... it's 63 total photos now. Yeah. Oops. *laughs* Hey, I technically am getting more out of this now that I miscalculated but I'll take it!

...

I am getting WAY more than what I have asked for lmao

SPECIAL MINI SEGM ENT!! HOW TO PACKAGE STUFF 101

Since I had a large sampling of individual small packages, I thought I should share with you how all of them package their items (even though it's a piece of bromide it's still worth something) to show how much effort the Japanese put into sending their stuff away for money:

"Leftovers"

"Clear Card Holder"

"The Whole Package"

"Cardboard with Bubble Wrap"

"Just One Piece"

"Skimping on Cardboard"

"Waste of Cardboard"

"Cardboard Sandwich"

In summary, cardboard sandwich is the free option if you have much of them lying around your place, that clear card holder is a luxury and it actually works, and bubble wrap if you have some lying around because that feels like overkill haha. I would say that if I were them, cardboard plus inside an envelope would be good enough. Remember, the purpose here is not let the thing bend or be scratched. That's all. It doesn't have to suffer a fall down a flight of steps lol

WHAT IS COMING SOON

Ah, I may actually be looking forward to these more because, you know, they are newer. *laughs* But seriously, as much as I would like to buy all of these and spend a shit ton of money to buy photos, I'm still not buying them legit as a form of supporting them, so, the ones you see before (Phase 1) (haha) and this upcoming one that we shall call Phase 3, from more legitimate means of purchase.

So, Phase 3 will be from two sources via pre-order (which I've placed last month) which will release end of June, which will consist of photos from Columbia Fes. which is a yearly music event for Anime artists from Columbia Japan ie. all their female voice actress singers including Yuuki Aoi and Waki Azumi which I promise I have gotten (but not Itou Miku for my bro because he said no haha), and from Minase Inori's upcoming live tour which is at this point postponed (which will also explain the second wave of pre-orders due October but I'm glad I caught on to the first) (man, are the servers lagging when it started haha I WAS THERE) but her goods are around which are similar to Asakura Momo as in Phase 1 HOWEVER it's not going to be a pamphlet review (lol because Inorin has no rack-) but I got myself some photos and a clear file because I want to love her so bad I know she doesn't love me back so these will do lmao well it's her sh*tty selfies that drove me to get more of her photos through other means.

Yeah, we'll do another part or update this part I guess whenever it arrives probably July.

HOW MUCH IT COSTED

So finally, costs. You know, those nitty gritty finances no one wants to care about but we know we have to because we aren't rich enough to ignore how much we spent lol. Not me apparently, for this one bomb is bigger than the virus out there that killed many; this one killed me good haha. Then again, I've been sort of saving for it so... here it is!

Phase 1: Asakura Momo Live Tour 2020 "Agapanthus" Tour Pamphlet + 1x Gacha Item (2x Badges)

3220 JPY = 44.68 SGD

Phase 2: The PUSS (Suraga-ya + Mercari, 63 photos total)

Because I had a lot of time to track all these packages and record how much money I spent to determine how much service fees I want to pay, I thought I show you guys what it looks like to be a nerd lol. Please refer to the table below:

tag	itemprice	charges	count	subtotal	shipping	total	unitprice	source	rate (SGD to JPY)	subtotal(SGD)	shipping(SGD)	total(SGD)	unitprice(SGD)
Tomatsu Haruka Tomatsu Haruka Amamiya Sora	640	800	3	1440	666	2106	702	From Suraga-ya	71.71315	20.08	9.25	29.33	9.78
Fuchigami Mai	777	500	1	1277	86	1363	1363	From Mercari	71.74157	17.80	1.20	19.00	19.00
Asakura Momo	888	1000	1	1888	86	1974	1974		71.75979	26.31	1.20	27.51	27.51
TrySail	400	500	1	900	86	986	986		71.71315	12.55	1.20	13.75	13.75
Amamiya Sora	600	500	1	1100	86	1186	1186		71.75473	15.33	1.20	16.53	16.53
Kitou Akari	1111	1000	1	2111	86	2197	2197		71.75391	29.42	1.20	30.62	30.62
Kitou Akari	1200	1000	1	2200	86	2286	2286		71.75473	30.66	1.20	31.86	31.86
Kitou Akari	666	500	1	1166	86	1252	1252		71.75385	16.25	1.20	17.45	17.45
Toyota Moe	450	500	1	950	86	1036	1036		71.75227	13.24	1.20	14.44	14.44
Horie Yui	777	500	3	1277	86	1363	454		71.74157	17.80	1.20	19.00	6.33
Minase Inori	1000	1000	3	2000	86	2086	695		71.76175	27.87	1.20	29.07	9.69
Uesaka Sumire	1888	1000	3	2888	86	2974	991		74.76938	40.24	1.20	41.44	13.81
Hanazawa Kana	400	500	1	900	86	986	986		71.71315	12.55	1.20	13.75	13.75
Hanazawa Kana	4600	1000	19	5600	86	5686	299		71.77647	78.02	1.20	79.22	4.17
Kouno Marika	500	500	2	1000	86	1086	543		71.73601	13.94	1.20	15.14	7.57
Tachibana Rika	690	500	1	1190	86	1276	1276		71.72996	16.59	1.20	17.79	17.79
Tachibana Rika	350	500	1	850	86	936	936		71.72996	11.85	1.20	13.05	13.05
Asakura Momo	490	500	2	990	86	1076	538		71.73913	13.80	1.20	15.00	7.50
TrySail	300	500	1	800	86	886	886		71.74888	11.15	1.20	12.35	12.35
Uesaka Sumire	400	500	1	900	86	986	986		71.71315	12.55	1.20	13.75	13.75
Natsukawa Shiina	300	500	1	800	86	886	886		71.74888	11.15	1.20	12.35	12.35
TrySail	700	500	1	1200	86	1286	1286		71.72744	16.73	1.20	17.93	17.93
Taketatsu Ayana	1111	1000	4	2111	86	2197	549		71.31757	29.60	1.20	30.80	7.70
Taketatsu Ayana	1111	1000	4	2111	86	2197	549		71.31757	29.60	1.20	30.80	7.70
Minase Inori	444	500	1	944	86	1030	1030		72.17125	13.08	1.20	14.28	14.28
Minase Inori	555	500	1	1055	86	1141	1141		72.16142	14.62	1.20	15.82	15.82
Amamiya Sora	400	500	1	900	86	986	986		72.17322	12.47	1.20	13.67	13.67
TrySail	300	500	1	800	86	886	886		72.13706	11.09	1.20	12.29	12.29
Touyama Nao	300	500	1	800	86	886	886		72.46377	11.04	1.20	12.24	12.24

For the breakdown in summary, it's 45228 JPY (~630 SGD) which are ~52% original item price including shipping paid by seller, ~42% on insurance and service fees because if I don't I'll cry but not for all items (specifically if items cost more than 800 JPY), and thanks to the coupon, only 7% in shipping and consolidation, distributed against all items besides local delivery charge from Suraga-ya which could be avoided with minimum purchase which... I couldn't even do. *sigh* This could've been way higher without that coupon by the way, and I may have stopped this altogether. Oh the numbers in the table are just for flair in case you like accounting lol (good time to test the new editor on tables though, super lag right now)

The most expensive item per unit price (for reference see above images on mat) is Akarin with the cherry on a magazine a couple of years ago where I appreciated her (outer) beauty (I want that cherry to be my face lol) (somehow all Akarin ones are ex, and also recent from her 2nd single) and the cheapest, thanks to counting of the items again is that batch from Kana-chan, is getting even lower now that I realised there's even more inside the pack that someone must have really not like the female voice actress of a decade haha I don't know. The newest ones as you may have noticed were out barely a couple of months as of purchase, got sold out there real quick for example TrySail. Man, those girls aren't very popular lol and the married ones because we know lmao Ayachi's 2 sets were real good though they were from her best album tour 2 years ago? Yeah. I try not to get stuff that's too old Taketatsu Ayana a decade ago isn't my type lol

Again, there were many regrets from what I've seen in Suraga-ya and I thought I could do a cheap sweep of (though, single) items but you know, they don't want to give me more Nan-chan or Rika-sama haha *sob*

Phase 3: "Columbia Fes." Photo Bromides + Minase Inori "We Are Now" Tour Goods

[Undetermined due to items not yet being charged]

Initial total as of point of purchase: 1800 + 2350 = 4150 JPY

WHAT'S NEXT?

One might be thinking how would I still have motivation to explore more despite burning so much money just to get into my very own hands, but I tell you, spending this much time in the Internet opened my eyes to recent rising trends that could make all these a lot more... interactive than they should be. Heck, I can still "tell the seller" through Buyee this time around for one of my items whether I want to slap in a protective case for 150. Yeah, no joke.

Cue Otamart, a rather small store for selling otaku items (thus the name "otaku mart"), but everything is negotiable. Yeah, it's like a flea market, but for those "free" goods. If you are Japanese then it's easy: you comment on what you want specifically (say "top left, bottom right") of any image shown in the product page and prices can then be confirmed. But this also means that if I were to do this I can do this on a smaller scale as this to and fro, even via forwarding service FromJapan, will take a lot of time, and their warehouse storage period won't allow such long dates (limit 30 days) because normally they will count the extension date on the earliest arrived item, especially when consolidated. So, if I ever were to do this in the future I may have to consider how large of a window I can accept before sending them back to my place at any capacity, but that's a problem to think of in the future, I guess.

Sorry guys, was watching livestream of Komatsu Mikako and Uesaka Sumire playing mini-games YOU KNOW I can't miss that for this. (Sumipe lmao Mikakoshi kawaii) Well again, this should've appeared 2 weeks ago, but there's more to come, so yay? I'm going to regret this in a decade lmao. Then again, reflecting back, I think I'll do auctions instead haha they have more selections anyways and since the prices are the same smaller batches might be better. But hey, we can only go for more right? MUAHAHAHAHA my wallet *laughs* Cya guys again then. My weekend is either going to be work or just scanning the heck out of these so I can pad my phone wallpaper collection haha yeah that's my reason for spending so much money, by the way. Until next time, I will update this page slowly on the stuff I want to show, so please come back to take a look or just come back in a week and not read this first or whatever lol bye