The First Klassic Note Reviews

Wow, just looking back at these images is already making me CRINGE!!!! Haha okay me the point that you are buying CDs even in 2012 is already a joke. *laughs*

Hey and welcome back to this blog where I spend a lot of time talking about stuff that no one will care. In this post (lol), I talk about how one should be spending their money after they get their salary. *laughs* You guessed it, it's the very reason why you see CD reviews appear ever so often today, it's The Klassic Note Reviews! In a surprise to no one, The Klassic Note Review did not start with what the title might have implied, an actual review. A proper write-up. With plenty of images to showcase the product. Actually, it was more of just an unboxing. And a lot of mistakes. Most importantly, it was a lost of waste of money. *laughs* With all the stuff I review today, it all started with amazement when I delved into my first online purchase from Japan.

So behold! The darkest history of Klassic Note Reviews and its origins are going to be revealed in this very post, about 10 years after it started!! No really, get my tissues ready for I will cry puddles it won't stop lmao *sob*

HOW THIS STARTED

It all started with the thought of what would be the first thing I do with my first full-time pay check. Three months into the thing we call "conscription" here haha, living away from home, having way too much time in my hands when we were in the transition phase of shifting away from basic to specialized training so I had a lot of time in my hands... You could take it to be like a college/university term break, about a few months long. And in came this thought. Yeah, time tends to do that to you. *laughs* And among these thoughts did I recall of Klassic Note, the concept I came up with for the music I listen to from Japan, with me as the only listener and judge, which basically means I want to collate my music library haha. With five years since its start, it was natural to come up with something to celebrate its 5th anniversary. So the first thing I did, and I joke no one, is to buy back all the songs of Japan I knew of ever since Klassic Note started around 2008.

Ah, before we continue, and this still applies today, there are certain conditions to be fulfilled. As I was paid like cr*p lol don't tell them and at this point I was listening close to a thousand tunes and counting, I knew it was impossible to get EVERY SINGLE SONG I've heard from Japan, as that would require buying every single release - single or album or EP - and that would have costed waaaaay too much, and my satisfaction of them, the idea of me not liking every single song on each release, came into mind. And thus the condition of "reviewing full singles and albums given in Klassic Note" became a more practical way of getting hold the songs I truly love. Problem is, that is still quite a lot to deal with, close to 100 CDs in total. So I did it in batches, progressively buying in the year's songs we are in because remember it was 2012 and Klassic Note doesn't stop for no one lol, while also trying to get the "reviewed releases" for every year, starting from the newest so 2011, 2010... etc.

THE FIRST KLASSIC NOTE BATCHES

[Jan-June 2012]
         When you take images with garbage and a remote control lol

So around July 2012, I started with Klassic Note 2012 releases, the first half of the year, the CDs I have given every song in, so that includes THIRTEEN SINGLES, for a total of *REDACTED* yen haha, direct shipping into my home address thanks to a buddy we have known for so many years. And I cannot thank them enough, I sincerely thank CDJapan aka Neowing Japan's international shop website, for making all of these possible. At that time, they were the only shop that offered international shipping, their fees are still lower than many services even today, and with my half-baked decision to get these in, I truly gave my soul to them and hoped my purchase of these will pay off. I wished I had shown you the expression on my face as I received this box of surprises; Boy I could never replicate that feeling again.

[2011]
Yes, there were to many I had to take two shots to show most of them

As you might have noticed from the poor quality of the images even if I let you zoom in lol, from taking a photo from a tablet with thick bezels with a terrible camera to how I got that very tablet from my dad because he didn't know how to use one to how I posted all the images I took up to Facebook so my contacts can be jealous of my treasures, my bravery, my... waste of money *laughs* it was all but a fever dream to me. With a quiet afternoon and my parents out of the house, I had to secretly (yes SECRETLY) (lol) use the living room media player to play these (I now have a CD player in my room FYI), but yeah, the experience was AMAZING!!!! It was like a dream come true, supporting artists the way I know how, to listen to them with great quality (2012 had digital downloads but not hi-res OR streaming of those formats) in a huge room environment. It was as if I had my own listening room, I truly believed that. Yeah, I kept all this a secret as much as I showed it off to social media. But time and time again, I continued to add to the count. 

[2010]
Shout out to the lone male artist Ajikan over there haha

[2009]
Ayachi on the right doesn't count, and this was before I bought a duplicate of Porno Graffitti's single lol it wasn't even that good lmao

[2008]
         Just this image alone can reveal how big a box it came in, when I started collecting Ikimonogakari cards that came with every of their releases, and how they knew I loved "BLEACH" haha

Every month since then, as you can see in a series of photos posted to Facebook which took how long again? *laughs* I have since then increased confidence in buying back releases from 2011 in August that year, 2010 in October, 2009 later that month and 2009 with more 2011 ones in again IN THE SAME MONTH because I remembered that's when I checked my own data to verify if more are "eligible for review" and they are haha, and 2008's releases in December along with the rest in 2012 including YUI's best albums back then. Yep, you can go ahead and count how many there are and I'll tell you the figures later hehe

The ultimate tribute, in Klassic Note and probably forever

YUI-san, THIS is how much I liked your songs *salutes*

THE INITIAL KLASSIC NOTE SHELF

Soon after I got all of these though, I thought of how to showcase them. Clearly the living room wasn't for me I live with my parents lol, so I knew these would be in my room. I also did not want to tuck them away in a box in a corner just like my parents did which showed zero sincerity in liking stuff they bought (they also bought a lot of stuff they do not care about now, waiting to rot), and so I cleared my bookshelf which didn't have many books anyway, and left half of the space to put my own belongings and daily necessities, and the other half for - you guessed it - a row of compact discs placed back in their initial wrapping. Well, I had to open them, I know you shouldn't be doing that but there are some stuff inside including novelties so I couldn't avoid doing that, so I tried to keep them in the best condition I can. Along the discs were those things you use to categorize your books I forgot the names of those, and I happily bought a label set just so I can put them into the years they were reviewed. I also went ahead years later and sourced a reliably large supply of seal bags overseas to wrap them CDs in, to preserve them memories. Yep, I went that far haha it brought me immense joy seeing them out in the open though, probably ever more than what I feel seeing them today. (I did try to do these again in later years but eventually ended up with the same layout, now randomized because jumbled up memories are always the best triggers)

This looks so cool right?? They were even aligned by if I weren't wrong, their release reference IDs

Yes, I even went as far as to buy an actual CD shelf that reached the ceiling at 1.9 metres to put all of them in, arranged by year. It was eventually scraped due to its flimsy build (IKEA, by the way) and potential hazard to drop all my precious treasures pushed backwards against the wall by a single cardboard block choke at one of its feet *laughs*

Around 2015, I bought case bags to not replace, but put OVER the retail wrappings.
Yes, I did not throw them away

THE FIRST CD REVIEW(S)

"Variety", I say.
"Not just idolism", I say.
*laughs*

2013 passed by real quick, as I continued to rely on CDJapan to do the master work for me, reaching for the Japan music industry while I continued to enjoy - with the help of the Internet - Japanese songs that I like and listen which made my every single day. I think besides the one time I accidentally bought a duplicate of what I did the previous year (I'm not going to hide that, it was Porno Graffitti's 2009 single "Kono Mune yo, Ai wo Iyo" and if anyone wants a copy...) (haha), I revised my song list to ensure I did not missed anything while still being able to purchase the year's releases to put on my shelf. At this point, the time span from release to review became a lot shorter, so getting special gifts aka First Press Bonus as CDJapan would call them, became a thing. There was incentive in getting these earlier. This pushed me to be more prompt in giving new songs the earlier they arrive, even before their expected release date. That also meant that I went to the point of listening to short previews and giving the CDs prematurely so I can put more on my shelf and these are typically from idols I know, and voice actresses like Toyosaki Aki became my fuel for Klassic Note. It was a crazy time of rat and chase at that time. 

If you squint real hard you can see what I bragged about after an online purchase, on Facebook
(No really, still there today haha)

Around that time too, I continued to refine what my definition of purchasing one of these CDs might be, even giving exceptions to afterwards terrible releases with Toyosaki Aki's "CHEEKY" and SPECIAL OTHERS' 2013 live audio CD album. Also, I learnt of the facts of buying releases in Japan, the idea of market expectation for buying pre-orders which will explain my behaviour above, but also the fact that buying through online... does not support the artists directly. Apparently, and I think this was from CDJapan, that releases bought online do not contribute to the infamous Oricon music sales charts. The latter though, did not really exactly stop me from buying more, but encouraged me to buy from more direct methods. Though still through online shops, with the help of forwarding services and my understanding of Japanese, one could buy from a Japan online store, ship it to these services and they can consolidate and bring them to your overseas address!

Still the only respect I have for instrumental band SPECIAL OTHERS.
Still my dream to go listen to your live one day, guys. Still is.
(I even made a joke if this resembling my long deceased grandfather which I've never seen in my life lol)

With that knowledge, my first purchase NOT from CDJapan back in November 2013 were two singles released around the same time, and obtained from Animate - the biggest music store in Japan - with, you guessed it, First Press Bonus photo bromides of Kotobuki Minako and Hikasa Youko haha yep, FRESH from the press. This was probably the second time I got hyped after 2012, and regained my confidence in loving this process and making every purchase worth even more than they should.

With any Animate Online purchase (even today) came with a free browsing catalogue detailing the latest products for the month, from Anime to music and figurines and so on.
It blew my mind right into the stratosphere I read every page of it lmao

THE FIRST KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW

Yep, the first artist poster I ever got, and that honour goes to yanaginagi!
Oh SID's single track single was better haha

However, I still thought that this did not bring enough justice to the songs I have loved and wanted to express my feels on what they contributed to my life, how I feel of them, etc. So in 2014 as you might still be able to find in the old blog (not this one I did not import the posts to here) I started to review releases that caught my attention. But it wasn't too long until I realized I can't do for all of them, and selectively speaking I like all of them so *shrugs* I went back to how I buy my CDs. And if I'm not wrong along with my very first purchase of Neat's 3rd album in June 2014 DIRECTLY FROM HER INDEPENDENT STORE we have gone this far already, I did a full review of all the songs as I have heard them from her livestream earlier that year... and this became what you know of today. The format may have changed, I may not have reviewed this many releases since 2018 which was mainly because I increased the strictness of my judgement of new songs trying to find the comfort zone for giving new songs, but the feels are still the same: It encouraged me to talk about the songs I liked more.

I see this every time and I ask myself how far I have come, buying an album all on my own accord.

THE PERFECT ORDER: KLASSIC NOTE REVIEW TODAY

Just a quick showcase of the online shops I've patronized:
From left to right they are Animate, Tower Records, Sony Music Shop.
The former two have their own partner forwarding services now

It wasn't really until 2017 where I had finalized and still use today, the current process for purchasing music releases for review: They would have to be given at least 85% of their songs to be included in the Klassic Note shelf (I have mentioned this in a post before, see "The Shelf Criteria"), they were not digital releases so I don't have to show you a screenshot of the iTunes page lol, I have given exception to music cover releases which are under their Anime credit (see "The Revolutionary Decision" lol I suck at naming blog posts), I have changed the ratings of the individual tracks to suit a new judgement criteria, and included translation of lyrics to show significance in their inherent meaning I like to mention in the reviews from time to time. Klassic Note Review has come such a long way, I would've gone back in time to mock at my mistakes of buying duplicate CDs, and opting for a local forwarding service which eventually failed to ship my orders for months but thankfully the latter did not affect music discs. Even so, it would not have stopped me from doing what I like today, receiving that very new physical media of songs to remember. That, until Japan stops selling CDs, will never change.

And here's a high resolution image of the Klassic Note shelf today so your eyes won't bleed from seeing blurred images above lol

I would like to announce a series where I go back and review all those releases which did not appear in this blog as its own post at any point so 2013 and before, but I know I didn't have the commitment to come up with a "Klassic Note Review Redux" series or something (lol yeah came up with the title for a while tbh) because I could never, EVER, tell you how much the feels were when I listened to it back then. What I CAN tell you though, is I have never once regretted making this decision, to never support my local music (lol if there is any) and doing stuff I like even now. This, is probably why I decided to continue on the journey to supporting the artists as much as I can. I'm sorry for the terrible quality of the images I only had a smartphone end 2013 and even then those cameras weren't the best thing anyways, so pardon me for not taking them photos again just so you can relive the moments by looking at these mementos which still live in my room. See you guys again for another of these long stories and underrated memories.

- Aozaki Shouhei, on the Klassic Note

P.S. I have bought from not Japan before, mind you, when I was totally into indie duo "cozy diary" who went as far as getting nominated for music awards back in 2015, but before then I had already bought two singles from TAIWAN everybody, and is such weird reminiscence as I am Chinese and have NEVER bought any of my songs until what was mid-2013. Now you will know why I hate Chinese love songs and instead give emo songs now haha

Next time anyone asked why I didn't support artists I like (in Chinese), I show them this haha

The Graduates of Klassic Note 2015

(This is originally written at 2021.01.23 for Klassic Note.)

I feel like I should do this before I start giving more new songs for this year so, I'll go back to 2020 for a bit. Just a bit. *laughs*

Welcome to the once in a blue moon Klassic Note post in this blog besides Reviews and the Song Awards. Hey, I try as much as possible, but it always has to come from a good idea or topic. For this though, it's not just a long time coming, but I feel like I should talk about what mainstream artists I like to give today, and this would be an adequate depiction.

THE GRADUATES OF KN2015

[KN2015の卒業生]

I named this aptly not really based on say, number of years till college graduation, but more of, it was around the time where I've started to open up to give a new generation of artists where Collection Artists like Chatmonchy and Aqua Timez are announcing their disbandment, which means we have lesser regulars in my music library, and the search to find more became more and more important over time. 2015 was a great year of finding those artists which I listen to often over the year 2020, and with them releasing new songs despite the world on fire, it would seem appropriate to talk about how I started with them, and how they became my impression of today.

For some background, Klassic Note 2015 was the first year the Vocal Popularity Survey - which determines the ratio of female to male vocals in songs given in Klassic Note - hit the lowest ratio yet which means males are increasing, throwing the stereotype of me as a male listener who only listens to female vocals. Yoru no Honki Dance and THE ORAL CIGARETTES convinced me with upbeat songs and touching lyrics to throw me off the impression that bands with male vocals must be similar to boy bands, or only meant to attract female audiences. Fast forward to 2020 where after many years of hearing their songs, I'm really convinced to give the artists I'm going to mention below, new songs based on their styles whether it's exploring new ground or perfecting the mainstream. We also saw some of them transit from indie to mainstream and gaining more attention, further justifying their popularity and reason to be mentioning them here.

Tracklist:

1 By My Side/Yoru no Honki Dance [Link]

2 Smile Smile/Yoru no Honki Dance [Link]

3 Amy/THE ORAL CIGARETTES [Link]

4 The Given/THE ORAL CIGARETTES [Link]

5 Silhouette/KANA-BOON [Link]

6 Massara/KANA-BOON [Link]

7 Nana Hitsuji/Scenarioart [Link]

8 It's All Right/Scenarioart [Link]

9 Love begets love/SpecialThanks [Link]

10 Asu mo Asatte mo/SpecialThanks [Link]

YORU NO HONKI DANCE: Good ol' Dance Rock

"By My Side" [2015]

When watching this music video I already felt like they were a bunch of jokesters, but as I slowly give in to their Dance Rock style rather unique to the Japanese music industry, I've ended up giving more songs than ever, even without being psyched by the male vocalist's dance moves, rather obviously meant to attract a female audience. What really hit me though? It is even in their indie time, this was still simple and solid of a song to be listening to at a time where melodies are additive in nature just to fit lyrics mostly, and there aren't many songs to dance to without hitting the Electronic genre. Those already, make this a solid genre to get into. Song-wise, despite the slower tempo and simple lyrics, the song still gave off what they are good at, a style to dance to.

"SMILE SMILE" [2020]

Five year into them and entering the list of Collection Artists in Klassic Note, they may not be as active as we think they are, but after entering major label in 2016, it has become a different story. From reviving debut albums to singing new songs to dance to, they never fail to impress. Despite a time of sadness, they are still able to come up with songs to impress, and songs to love. With this song and their music video, they have easily proven they can still sing a happy song to remember. Amongst other things, every release of them always has something to remember by, and ever song I have is sure to be a classic every time they pop up. That, I think is just showing the success of their style and production which only makes me anticipate more from them every time.

THE ORAL CIGARETTES - Becoming Emotional

"Amy" [2015]

Ah, do you like love songs? I sure do. Especially when it's different. Cue THE ORAL CIGARETTES, where despite their weird band name, can deliver a love song that is to... love. Obviously aiming for a female audience singing to a supposed female, I then quickly realised how well they write their songs, and with just this single I've given more songs within the year to have gotten a better idea about what they are. From hype songs to emotional songs to remember, they have everything, and they stand out in their own front.

"The Given" [2020]

Over the years, they have done a whole lot to impress the Japanese music industry. Just hop into one of their live performances shown on TV or live events to hear a list of songs to remember. The point that they themselves can gather male and female audiences alike is not just about singing hype songs which are always different in formula, but also their emotional songs is what brought everyone together even in these tough times. With their album in 2020, their hype songs are overshadowed by their emotional songs in my opinion, and this song along with "Slowly but surely I go on" are tunes that will remind you how they have gotten more emotional and thankful for their growth over the years, and that I can get into. With Anime, they excel. Without Anime, it's where we hear their real them. So real, you can relate to them at every level.

KANA-BOON - Solid Hype

"Silhouette" [2015?]

I did not know KANA-BOON from Anime, surprisingly, but from their live performances on TV, and that's where they got me. On stage, they walk the floor to impress, because just dump in one of their hype tunes and it will not disappoint. Everyone will have their own song to remember, but for me, I started with one of their classics. It's not a 2015 song. but I did start at that time, so hear me out, that's where I started following them for their new songs, and that's what let me stay. This song was mainstream good, and Anime was just the icing on the cake. I would've listened to them even without the credits.

"Massara" [2020?]

I know this is not in 2020, but I listened to this from the best album released in 2020, so this 2019 song would still count. And again, not that the new songs in that year didn't hit me or anything, but this was worth more than a mention to also, compare to what truly means to be them. My impression of them over the years is still excelling on their hype songs, even though they did hit me with emotional songs from time to time. Because it really isn't KANA-BOON with hype songs, whether it's from Anime, drama, or anything else in between, they always can come up with tunes and guitar riffs you wouldn't possibly forget. My initial impression of the song may not be strong, but after hearing this out, this song is full of power, and yet can still tear you up. This is the true appeal of them in my opinion, which is why I never fail to come back to them time and again.

SCENARIOART - Turning Mainstream

"Nana Hitsuji" [2015]

If you hear them from anywhere starting from their major debut, your impression of them might be the same as mine at this point to, because they are mainstream awkward. Really, saying they are normal would be an insult, because Scenarioart loves to explore on different melodies, and that's what Klassic Note is out there on the search for. The single collaboration with KANA-BOON further cemented my impression of specifically them because they also showed an emotional side of them, which prompted me to find out more about that side of them too. When artists are weird and they turn normal thanks to major labels, they will always turn out better than expected. Trust me, they are a really good example, because you will remember then again every time one of these hits you.

"It's All Right" [2020]

Years fly by, they have left mainstream and tried to take it out on the world going independent, but somehow since 2018 they have not disappointed in terms of their new songs, trying to engage with their audience despite the weak popularity, because their strong will shows their real passion to keep their music and music style going. Releasing an album during tough times probably wasn't their idea, but the idea to push on under an independent label gives them more freedom to engage the now Internet-cooped audience and show what they are made of. Surprisingly, by leaving mainstream label, they are even better than mainstream, and that is why I say this is what makes them special. With this song and many others in their album, it's always when you want something slightly different that you will remember how great they are, and that applies for me too.

SPECIALTHANKS - Hardcore Feelings

"Love begets love"[2015]

First thing you would notice, that they are the only ones in this list with a Punk Rock style. Yes, you may not have noticed even after hearing this song. That's what their impression to me was. With Misaki singing a love song for their then major 2nd album, you would have never guessed that they are rocking a style so heavy, it almost turned me off the other way. Following their major debut in around 2014 if I didn't remember wrongly, they have sung a couple of times for Anime, which explores two new areas from their usual days as indie: Singing in Japanese, and writing songs less heavy in Punk. Yes, two very drastic changes, which probably would summarise easily for why I would be into them in the first place. Their appeal from turning away from singing English songs only, and the point their Punk Rock style isn't in our faces really stuck to me after hearing this and being amazed on the music video. The song is great, what can I say? The female vocalist might have played a major role though.

"Asu mo Asatte mo" [2020]

Five years into this song, and I'm still giving them songs. They have been releasing songs steadily for a couple more years after 2015, but then died down following band member changes, and after quite a hiatus, they promised to come back with an album in 2020, and I can assuredly tell you, they have never changed. Initially because of the lack of their presence in Klassic Note for years, I was reluctant in giving Punk Rock again because that was all I can remember back then trying to give them songs to no avail, but surprisingly, as I continued to listen to the album, I felt like this was all the same I've seen so far, and that I still liked them. Particularly for this song, it did not really hit me until I realised that this was all that I felt even back then and after all these years, listening to their songs. Their songs reach the heart, it might be hardcore sometimes, but you never forget about their sweet tunes.

And there you have it. I'm never going to have that dedication to give artists today again, considering Klassic Note now is surrounded by idolism and sort of mainstream artists which have weaker origins where people were together to make music that will be totally different without a producer under their heads. And that's why sometimes I'll take a step out of mainstream and listen to a bit of indie music, because that is where it's at its pure form. It might not be impressive in production, but it's those unique traits in the bands at that time that will create an image to last. Maybe that's why I think they deserve some mention after all this time, and also a compilation.

- Aozaki Shouhei, on the Klassic Note

The Entertainment News 2022 Edition Issue #18

GOLDENNNNNNNN WEEEEEEEEEEEEK Haha okay me we just have a lot of holidays here, please. Not living in Japan, by the way.

Man, every time I look at my new desktop wallpaper featuring voice actress Koga Aoi (which you may know her from Kaguya-sama and/or Komi-san) (yep) I always felt like this purchase of her mini digital photobook where they get female VAs to take photos of each other, is so worth the price- You should get yourself a copy too and see her get wet-

Anyways, lots of stuff to go through again this week, and news for next week since I have it all to myself: I WILL DO A POST EVERY DAY FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY NEXT WEEK!!! Yeah HYPE!! *laughs* So yeah, probably for #KN15YEARS to be honest, and I'll need to spend more time and effort to prepare these so... maybe I'm not buying a new Switch game to play then lol I bought so many and didn't even bother to play them

アニメ Rikei ga Koi ni Ochita no de Shoumei Shite Mita. Heart

"Wow! Our senpais really became a manga!" lol WHAT did they run out of budget? Haha

Wow how many fourth walls they broke for the intro? Haha I can't even. *laughs* In this new episode (#RikeKoiS205) hey if this series gets serious too early I might just flip? Haha probably not but we shall see from here on. Because for now, we are getting more serious in this love experiment thing then ever. But first, let's talk a little about how it started, with Yamamoto-sensei. She's back, she is NOT back with more manga though as we have seen just a couple of pages CLEARLY still drawn by the author themselves and not by her (lol don't fourth wall me I know it's the same) since she has been slacking off work and dodging the dealing set by her editor which, if you would have known, is enough of a thing for real life authors that they make this as a joke already. What you would not have known though, is that the editor is a former rugby player who probably can win an arm wrestling match against Ikeda-sensei haha, just came into the lab to drag her out to finish her manuscript. *laughs* Seriously, wrong Anime, people. And then we move on to Kanade. Remember the previous episode where some dude just walked in to confess to her? I mean, even without the parents or even her grandfather expecting some in-law to appear into their lives earlier than ever considering she's also the oldest in her family wow didn't expect to see the full family here tbh, Kanade-chan here might have trouble even rejecting this kid who just popped up in her life ever since the presentation in the first season of Anime. Still, doesn't stop Yukimura from quantifying the confession reply for her haha I almost forgot this is a science series, and despite not giving a damn on whether we are talking about the friend or just herself, Kanade seems to have some idea of whether to still be friends which this dude who says he likes her. Without proof too so that's awkward. *laughs* But yeah, to put it simply, Kanade will be hard-pressed to reject him considering they don't know each other, so being friends and hanging out would be a good start to know. There, solved it without equations. *dabs* And lastly, I'll put focus on this more to be frank, is the collation of "proof of love" from the community. No really, I heard some newbie who sounded like Asakura Momo in there, the one who voices the bear. *laughs* Anyways, as if this didn't get any more cringe ignoring the one who talked about her guy dying *OOF*, Torasuke is livid about himself probably liking his childhood friend more than ever forgetting that the friend relationship here is a thing, Himuro's feelings are still a question mark even though I think it's definitive at the end of this episode already, and Kanade... let's just say she's over with this lol. All in all, great episode as always goddamn I keep comparing to episode 1 but I must say maybe it's because that other couple sucks compared to these young ones hehe, but hey, all's in a day of research, yeah? We'll see if Yukimura needs more proof from Himuro on her newest confession or not haha

[TL:DR; "What is love anyway?" Love is an experiment, Kanade-chan. You try to go out with people once you realize you're too old to be single, and then- *laughs*]

MFW work clients come after me for timeline
(lol ugh)

Shout out to a next season Anime reference where Himuro's voice actress Amamiya Sora voices a vampire

P.S. "Did something weird happen to Kanade-chan lately?" Yeah she hasn't been retorting to these idiots too lol hey girl you gotta do your tsukkomi role right

P.P.S. "If you keep training like this, then you'll be safe even if another martial artist attacks you someday" Okay I wouldn't call your future grandson-in-law a martial artist, Kanade's gramps, but *laughs*

アニメ Aharen-san wa Hakarenai

"Maybe she has no sense of gauging of recent trends?" Yeah Raidou you might be right haha Aharen you into vinyl? Wait that's new-

Really? "Hokkemon Ko"?? This is all you can come up with, Mizu Asato-sensei??? *laughs* Well in this new episode where we talk about dead memes and died off trends from five years ago when the world wasn't on fire haha yeah don't forget about fidget spinners (#AharenSan05), someday we will get the Spiderman pointing meme in here, maybe season two. *laughs* So, the jokes this week haha okay there are the interesting actually romance stuff here so that too haha. Firstly, about this new Pokémon Go ripoff. I'm not going to bore you with the lore that is Pokemon because I'm sure my friends can teach you the techniques if you need to, but if the keywords "Focus Sash" and "Endeavour" or even "Priority Move" don't ring any bells on you that's basically how Raidou's mon lost to Aharen's even thought she just played it like, yesterday. *laughs* Okay way too much video game references liao so let's move on haha, we have Futaba-chan again apparently she's real popular with the target audience lmao, and yeah thanks to her remembering what her boy Akkun mentioned, she chanced upon Aharen by a crane game and wanted to get something for her boy, only to know that Aharen literally taught her how to get with her last coin by burning all her coins. Such is why Aharen is the master, girl. Start paying tribute to her or something, you tsundere brat. *laughs* Aharen can just offset the new monster loot to her boy, so no worries there. *laughs* And I rather not talk about how Raidou got fat lmao, maybe the highlight for this episode is how bad Raidou needs tutoring for the upcoming exams. You know, because he really sucks? *laughs* So yeah, no surprises there where Aharen is better at him at every subject considering he never looked that far up the class ranks anyways he's always at the bottom lol, Aharen on the other hand is just glad she could be of help to him for once, considering she typically always causes trouble for him for trying anything yeah even the feeding until he got fat lmao, but yeah, as she said it herself, she might be good at stuff but if not for Raidou covering her back, she might not be where she is today. Really, truly wholesome moments especially when he saved her from the falling shelf- Wait, was that supposed to be a kyun moment?? Haha okay, didn't catch that though (get it?) I really just forgot this is a romance series. *giggles* All in all, choke me Aharen lmao who knew she was a faceless assassin with slick moves also please Raidou they don't have to clean up after themselves if they are that good anyways lol, I legit have no idea who's that other classmate which has been featured in this episode twice haha, and yeah where's the romance? *silence* We're not even halfway there, me, we can wait a bit more hehe until next time then

[TL:DR; I just absolutely LOVE the evil laughs from the one and only Minase Inori I need more of these now lol can we change this into a love rival series and put Inorin as antagonist? Haha there are other series like this?]

Shout out to me sleeping in class every morning on the left lol

Me when they do an impressive feat haha
(Sorry but I'm impressed lol)

P.S. "And more than anything, I don't see a reason for (Aharen) to lose weight" You're right, Raidou, just look at yourself-

P.P.S. "It's not because I haven't been studying and am totally doomed (for exams)!" Haha Raidou people need to be as honest as you to study with me lol because SAME "It's a win-win situation" Ironically that's how a girl asked me out... to study with her haha UGH lol don't ask if I got laid please *sob*

What you expected out of this Anime series

What the Anime is
(lmao)

アニメ Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Ultra Romantic

"You mustn't envy other people's happiness" Well you won't if you are in happiness AMIRITE KAGUYA? Haha

Okay Ishigami, chill. No such beam exists or else Kana-chan wouldn't be married now. *laughs* In this new episode where the love continues or maybe not haha (#KaguyaSamaS304), I think we have more to talk about than ever before, to be honest. Firstly, Ishigami's crush. I think we might have figured out already but thanks for the recap I almost forgot about his time in Cheerleading Club, Kaguya spits on Ishigami's lack of motivation to aim for some girl he thinks he can't get. You know, idolism, but probably more achievable because she's right by you and you technically can just hug her back and you'll be more friends than ever before so why not also use some of your student council authority to get what she wants hehe, instead we have this situation where Kaguya helps Ishigami out on the exams again just because you know, grades are everything. *laughs* I like how his motivation then comes from serious Kaguya which is cool honestly instead of just to the person he likes, but hey, at least he tried. Because I didn't. *sob* Anyways, moving on I hate drama that speaks my life out lmao, we talk about how everyone else dealt with the recent exams. A year has passed since they were together and I meant as in the student council no one is dating in this room EVER haha, Shirogane is just top in class but is easily distracted by his phone apparently with Ha!@#$%ka lmao we will elaborate on that again, Kaguya is in second and she can easily blame that on Ishigami since she has to help him not fail lol, Fujiwara probably will never study as expected haha, I forgot Miko-chan is smartest in her cohort and that's how she shows off her prowess and is probably alone because of that lol, and I think I saw Nagisa drop in rank in the eyecatch afterwards haha yes I paused to see the others Shijo was 3rd though. *laughs* Last but not least and it will be a lie if I didn't say I want to skip to this part so badly, Fujiwara mentioned about a stayover or hanging out just with the others, but since Kaguya was so desperate about it and wants it right now, she gets it right now... at her place... with just her bestie. *laughs* Hey, be patient, girl, I know you rush to get yourself ploughed but *laughs* We meet with Ha!@#$%ka disguised as a gay apparently lmao okay Anime you doing discrimination now huh, the girls have a wonderful time together in the mansion- Man, life without Kaguya's dad is great. *laughs* And then we sleep. And unless you are NOT girly enough you don't sleep until the clock strikes 12 so yeah, science proven effect on people where sleep is as bad if not worse than intoxicated, so Kaguya-sama in love. *laughs* They had girls' talk until it involved Kei and her brother haha, we were about to hear the confession until it isn't, and... what do you think will happen if nose bleeding Chika-chan walked in to a female butler? *laughs* All in all, have you ever seen all FOUR forms of Hayasaka Ai? *laughs* That might have been too much for Chika-chan, to be honest haha. But hey, we got a LOT out of this episode though, even though to be frank it's kinda repetitive at this point WE NEED TO KNOW WHO SHIROGANE LIKES!! Haha okay who am I lying to we know he likes the male butler lmao see you all for more gay action I guess

[TL:DR; Like seriously, who doesn't like some lovey-dovey Shinomiya Kaguya- Hayasaka is better lmao *dabs*]

Introducing the girls of "Kaguya-sama" series:
I'm pretty sure someone will get the wrong idea looking at this again lmao

Introducing the girls of "Kaguya-sama" series:
Me after I jack off be like (lol)

Introducing the girls of "Kaguya-sama" series:
When we were playing strip poker and I take off my underwear
(haha ok me)

Introducing the girls of "Kaguya-sama" series:
Geez me too Chika-chan but for lesbian porn haha ah-

P.S. "The moment you are sure he'd protect you and your young for life, that's when you wish to be together" Yeah okay Kaguya I'm pretty sure there's more to this but for your royal status probably true haha ah-

P.P.S. "His life was a series of failures" Wow narrator you gotta narrate my life too? Haha because SAME

What I want in life
(No, really, I want to be Ishigami)

Me after I realized what I want in life
(I drink) (Haha)

アニメ Komi-san wa, Komyushou Desu.

"Finally, I'm going into Komi-san's abode!" Okay Yamai shut the hell up-

You know this is a good episode when they pay the narrator more than Shousuke despite his longest appearance in the series. *laughs* In this new episode where hey Merry Christmas everyone lol this second cour should've been in previous season (#KomiSan16), we are NOT even close to people getting together. I wonder why. *laughs* Oh, it's Komi-san's birthday too. Ah..... I see. Haha okay about this special day I guess. It was orchestrated apparently at the last minute as with Tadano on all things, but that also shows how little time Komi-san was given to play along what seems to be a Secret Santa thing so just like me she had to go online to buy a bunch of candles to- Oh she didn't? And this one is technically random? Well... maybe she can drag the brother along to help out. *laughs* Ironically this didn't really happen in this episode for some reason, so we didn't really find out who got the muffler from her though. What we DO know is her birthday present, and how everyone ended up hanging out at her place with only one day's notice. Probably hard on the mom to prepare all this beforehand, but hey, when's the last time you had your class over for dinner? *silence* So yeah, she wins, I guess. *giggles* Everyone thought hard about where to sit in the living room lol, it hit back at them when everyone just sat down giving her no choice but to... you know, sit besides Tadano which just flipped Yamai-san haha, they played a game of King somehow with the mom involved lol who got two guys to kiss lmao here's your gay tribute here dear homo fans of this series (mom, it's 4 kisses 3, please) (haha *dabs*), thank goodness Tadano didn't get a massage from anyone besides the anee-san character lol, and Komi-san ordered everyone to be friends with her forever. Long live the Shouko empire. *laughs* And then, we have a flashback. So looks like Tadano recalled the birthday and I promise Yamai too but she didn't intend to go along with the others and go to Komi-san's place through her room window- And Tadano got Najimi to help out on Christmas Eve. So yeah, it started with them picking the best gift as a showdown haha yeah Makeru-chan be gyrating at the corner already after Yamai lol, but apart from half the people who can't think of anything to gift her, the other half can't come up with something good- Stop grabbing that dancing Santa no one gives a shit about that, Komi-san. *laughs* As usual Tadano got the best gift and I agree imagine being that plushie haha thanks Yamai, gotta argue Kaede-chan's gift is a good second choice, but yeah, it ended up being a collective purchase instead of each to their own which Yamai wishes she could've and actually won the others. Sadly though, the gang did not feel the sincerity of her thanks from receiving even a gift, because you know, read the title of this series again lol, so they got a great message from her instead. So that's good. Someday, man, someday we will get her to say her thanks and show some hype from receiving a present just like a normal person- Wait, did I get hype receiving a birthday present? *silence* Did I even receive a birthday present this year? *sob* All in all... where's the dating part??? *laughs* No really, not Yamai of course, I was expecting something going on with the main couple, but considering even the mom knows not to make this awkward and not let Tadano be able to resume school because he'll be beat up by the others lmao, I think we can hold that for another time. You know, previous episode was a pretty good couple moment. *giggles* I guess we can have more of these, eh? I've never had this many friends so it'll be fun to watch... someone... enjoy... life F-

This is a good summary of the personalities you see in this series

This is a good summary of this series' potential
(Haha man Tadano once you get a girl to willingly sit beside you... *wink*)

P.S. "Where should I sit to be next to Komi-san?" Haha I don't want to recall which Anime I last saw this, but yeah this is bringing a lot of deja vu

P.P.S. "A statue of Komi-san, erotic underwear... I have given (her birthday present) a lot of thought" WTF did you just say Yamai-san?? *laughs*

This is NOT the MVP this episode
(lol)

This is the MVP this episode
(lmao)

アニメ Kawaii Dake ja Nai Shikimori-san

"For you" *dies of heat stroke inside*

No really, you have NO IDEA how much I have sunk into Oonishi Saori Shikimori-san at this point haha even the official Twitter account knew to check on whether you think Shikimori is more cute or cool each episode. But come on, with this new episode we know (#ShikimoriSan04) that her being cool is part of her cuteness, isn't it? *dabs* So yeah, about summer. We just setting things up, because obviously, this isn't that episode where we get everything, but I'm pretty sure this is all going to be great next... week... so let's talk about what happened this week! *laughs* Firstly, the gang's plans to hang out for summer. They are still facing the exams though first, but before that, we gotta plan where to go to study find the motivation to, you know, look forward to swimsuits or something. *laughs* Like, Inuzuka, you don't even know. Bruh, even Izumi is staring at a bikini ad poster in the mall, dude. Shikimori got the hint, why didn't you- Well good thing is, the girls in this series are VERY HYPED (even Shikimori lol) to get some shopping going on so I can't wait for next episode already lmao, but yeah Nekozaki is right Shikimori is very afraid of losing to anything, even an ad it seems lol. Speaking of that, we got a flashback to how they all came together. Turns out, Nekozaki is already with Hachimitsu no surprises there, but one is I would say, very fond of Shikimori especially when she found some cute boi to date lol, so much jealousy here I can't even describe, and they both got real serious playing basketball the others are just amazed at these two. We didn't get the final scores here but who cares haha, but we do know it's a good showdown just because. And yeah that's essentially how things work right? Friendships. *laughs* It just starts with something and boom, next thing you know we be playing at the river half-naked. *dabs* Yeah, Nekozaki likes "too pure pure girls", we got that reference haha *dabs* (Sorry for "Kannagi" drop no one knows this Anime with Kana-chan and Tomacchan in it I apologize in advance) But hey, all is well, eh? She just gets her top-up from Izumi or something. *laughs* But yeah, good to know the relationships between this gang, and honestly it's fun to watch as an audience too. The exams happened just because and Izumi lost the power to write because writing tools fail just because (lol), and you know, we can talk about the stars. Haha I seriously thought we can go with the "the moon is beautiful" confession trick but I guess pure Izumi doesn't do that stuff huh. Kinda pisses me off now to be honest haha ah- All in all, what is with the lesbian subplot in a cooking class haha I promise you this is not a porno in any way, I'm LOVING the slow pace in this slice-of-life romance series already, and goddamn if next week I need to get my nosebleed going. Haha cya guys then

[TL:DR; "(Shikimori) tops the list of girls I want to marry" Haha you're right Nekozaki because SAME dude]

I feel like we can appreciate some Nekozaki this episode so
(She looks like an action series villain lmao)

I feel like we can appreciate some Nekozaki this episode so
(Okay you cute haha when is "Kawaii Dake ja Nai Nekozaki-san" coming? lol)

Next episode preview lmao

My friends when I say I have a girlfriend haha
(lol not happening though, with this many friends too)

P.S. "The river... is also good" Compared to the beach??? F**K YOU IZUMI I quit haha "If we're going to the river, we gotta need swimsuits!" Thanks Nekozaki for the save haha ah hey "If Izumi is not swimming, then I don't need one" Oh WHAT SHIKIMORI NO (lol Anime you can't play me like this)

P.P.S. "Micchon laughing and then getting mad is so amusing to watch" Haha Nekozaki I know right literally this series in a nutshell who cares if she's cool or not

[Oh yeah they did the voting on whether "Shikimori is still cute" or <title drop> and you bet she's cute! Nothing to do with Oonishi Saori though... maybe haha]

This week on "Kawaii Dake no Shikimori-san":
Oh you doing the 2-hour stare of incoming messages on your phone too? Haha
(That's a "Kaguya-sama" reference from last week)

This week on "Kawaii Dake no Shikimori-san":
Confused Shikimori is saikou hehe

This week on "Kawaii Dake no Shikimori-san":
Lying Shikimori is even better haha
(But please don't lie as a habit, girl)

This week on "Kawaii Dake no Shikimori-san":
Perfection.

音楽 This Week on Klassic Note

This week? Hmm... it's not much, but I'll talk about them. It's been a while since I touched any of these artists or genres, so let's. THE ORAL CIGARETTES' collaboration digital album is merely just to introduce a new song featuring a rapper I understand I gave it anyways I could use more of them, but the other 3 tracks in the release is definitely not any better than the originals despite having guest vocals on them and everything else sounding EXACTLY the same. Anime "Kaguya-sama" album is more interesting though, and if you have heard of their radio show "Koku Radio" as which it is named, associated music label Aniplex has kindly written songs from main three characters which had their separate release to basically everyone else making Suzuki Ryouta the new hot music video idol lol, is finally compiled in a release and streamed digitally too so I can listen to all of them including cast covers of the theme songs. I don't think Kohara Konomi herself had an influence in giving the song I merely didn't listen to it the first time around, and goddamn Hasayaka's character song is good. *giggles* So yeah, the original theme songs were better lol including halca-san which I should not say because her songs aren't actually good and I give them because of Anime even though she's a MusicRay'n artist where TrySail are- (sorry for TMI)

Let's see, for news on Elon Musk-owned Twitter which I'll give a damn about because it's music, more Taketatsu Ayana live videos on YouTube it's as if they want to appear on this paragraph every week and if you missed "K-ON!" they have that too, Porno Graffitti announced a new album after 5 years without one and honestly saying I also didn't give a damn so maybe it's a good time to go back to them date not yet announced lol, fuzzy knot announced a new album in their recent live and it looks like this Sid and Mayflower member combination is getting traction so I guess more 80s retro tunes in the next few months, don't ask me why Ryokuoushoku Shakai's new THE FIRST TAKE video on YouTube (1) does not feature their drummer but maybe it's a lighter version and (2) why they get to do this the second time since it's kind of a rarity and they might be bringing in viewers, yanaginagi's new song is the first of many songs for her 10th anniversary plan where voting on what we feel from this song will determine the future songs' moods, SHE'S new song isn't too bad even from preview, Sangatsu no Phantasia's new song for Anime "Cuckoo no Inazuke" will be out on streaming next week, if you would recall about an indie event from last week yuiko's new song will be on digital and streaming three weeks from now so that's rad, didn't notice this but Tsuji Shion's new song will also be online in three weeks after announcing it in a live event which I can't attend lol, Amamiya Sora's new music video is basically fanservice and all the dancing you will expect from idols so hey welcome to K-Pop a decade ago lol, this is probably my favourite so far because rare Klassic Note guest Murder by Death will be releasing their new album in upcoming July following a Kickstarter for pre-orders as usual if you don't know of them looks like they are going refreshed 70s this time, and I'll roundup all the artists involved in the upcoming YouTube Music Weekend next week where they showcase past live performances, including Hanazawa Kana, THE ORAL CIGARETTES and SCANDAL since I follow them.

Next week would be a great break for Klassic Note once again but that'll be bad for the start of the month to be honest so maybe I'll try to pick up FantasticYouth's new song for Anime "Komi-san" which really is hard to give though Ookubo Rumi liked it lol (still not idol influenced don't worry Klassic Note stands independent in views lmao), and Aimer's B-side album from early this year just because it'll also be a good trip down memory lane since I started with her in 2011 thanks to Anime "BLEACH". Man, I really wonder how bad it'll be once the final arc comes back in October this year, theme songs-wise. It'll never be as good as what we knew, right? Most of them stopped or left Sony Music Japan who hosts the series' theme songs. Hmm... mol-74? That's as far as I know on potential candidates haha oh yeah ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION is still around- That'll be cool!! *giggles* (Edit: Now that I recall we  have KANA-BOON and Ryokuoushoku Shakai now so that sounds like a good time half a year from now haha)




I... don't think we will be reviewing them photobooks even next week. *laughs* Yeah, may have screwed that up, might as well let them ship early so it can avoid all the Japan holiday things or something. In view of that, I better prepare more on the upcoming posts I'll be doing for Klassic Note, starting with a post that I've been keeping for a year or so because I didn't bother to post it. *laughs* You know, missed timing, but I think it's still a good time to talk about them, it's artists I follow in recent years following all the falls of all of the artists I started with the early 2000s. Cya guys then, and until next time... I want myself a Kohara Konomi photobook- Oh it exists now?? Haha yeah oh shit I forgot about the changing images in the official site four times a day lol goddamn I never get to see all of them somehow lmao bye