Fast Post!

As promised, here's the links to all the Miku songs played at Mikupa 39s Live in Singapore back on 11 November 2011:

http://mikubook.com/setlist/mikupa2011inSingapore

AFA 2011 Day 3

Caught the Full Metal Alchemist movie today. Pretty good. The Cosplay Regionals were impressive, to say the least. Singles was won by a Zaku 1 Custom from Indonesia. For group category, Indonesia won 3rd place, with Kamen Rider Kiva Emperor mode and the Bat Fangire. 2nd place was won by Final Fantasy 13-2, comprising of Lightning in her new armour and that new blue haired guy she duels in the trailer(forgot which country they came from). Top was taken by The Philippines , with Warrior of Light and Judge Gabranth from Dissidia. I took many, many pictures of the 3 day event. Will upload them at a later date together with a review of Day 3's concert. May'n rocked the house!

AFA 2011 Day 2

Wow. One heck of a tiring day. I certainly spent a lot lesser monies than expected. As I'm tired beyond belief, I'll post my day 2 experience probably on Monday. It'll be 3 separate posts:

Shop Area + Live dubbing by Chiwa Saito
Mobile Suit Gundam UC Episode 4
Anisong concert(PS: Ichiro Mizuki and Lisa were AWESOME).

With that, I head to bed.

Mikupa 39 Live in Singapore 2011! My review!

Damn. Best. 2. Hours. Of. My. Life. Seriously. It was a great concert, easily comparable to that of say, Jay Chou or Lady Gaga. Miku's choice of songs are possibly among the best, fighting with Live in Sapporo for best track list. The band was great, and they interacted with the audience. It was hilarious as hell to see them take part in the Popipo dance.

Awesomeness:
As mentioned, music choices made were excellent. While it was obviously similar to Live in Sapporo, they made some changes. For example, Live in Sapporo started with a high energy song and ended with a slow one, while Live in Singapore did the exact opposite. Also, order of songs were swapped, with a couple added, and others removed. Luka got 3 songs this time, which was better than having 2. The place was packed. It was a full house sell-out, even after opening more slots to both VIP and normal tickets. Shows how much fans Miku has. Even the crowd sang along. Truly a memorable night. The cast too got a graphical update. Those pixels aren't visible unless you strain really hard to look for. But if you were doing that, why the hell are you even there? I could be wrong here, but it sounded like they were using Luka's Append set, which Live in Sapporo did not, yet another plus point. Miku also introduced the band, which was another awesome part for me. Speaking of which, the band were seriously dynamic. IMO they performed way better than they did in Sapporo. Thank god they used the glass panel this time, not that bullcrap black box from the Tokyo concert. Next time, I'll be getting better seats.

Gripes:
Some dances were cut short, most noticeably on Munsunde Hiraite Rasetsu To. While Sapporo had the screen above, Suntec did not, and the glass panel did not give enough space for Miku to dance. Secondly, the ridiculous lack of duets. There was only ONE duet between Miku and Rin, which was also the first appearance made by Rin. If anything, I was honestly expecting a duet between the Kagamines. Sapporo did it very well, where Rin sang Daughter of Evil, while it cuts off half way and Len continues with Servant of Evil, and they both end it with their songs at the same time. Thirdly, the lack of "interaction" between Miku and the audience. This is probably due to the language barriers, as Miku would ask the audience a question, to which the answer was expected. Fourthly, no final appearances made by all 4 Vocaloids in the closing song. Admittedly, it didn't really allow them to appear based on the song. Overall still a great experience which could be better. There was only one song which I actually disliked.

Others:
God, the que was massively long, just to redeem stuff. Additionally, Miku's merchandise were OOS at an incredible rate. It's like these kids were made of money or something. Also, this hilarious malay girl was attempting to dance like the Vocaloids(key word: attempting). She actually span right into the wall. There were lots of parents with kids around, but only one pair of parents were actually singing along. Pretty cool huh? I also saw this old grandparents with their grandchildren(they were in front of me). They knew their stuff, that's for sure. They sang, educated their grand kids in the mystical knowledge of Vocaloid. The grandpa was even dancing, very, very well. For an animated diva, Miku and Co's music sure has touched many many people. Including me. Call me an otaku for coming to this concert. I'll be proud of it.

Below is the set of songs performed. Will add links later on. Need my sleep for more AFA goodness later.

1. When love first love ends by Ryo2.(supercell)
3.Rolling Girl by Wowaka
4. Two Breaths Walking by Deco*27
5. Albino By BuzzG
6. Love Colored Ward by OsterProject
7. Ee? Ah, sou - Papiyon
8. Musunde Hiraite Rasetsu to Mukuro-9. hachi
10. Intense singing of Hatsune Miku -CosMo@bousou-P/GAiA
11. Rip=Release - Ryusei-P
12. Double Lariat - Ago-anikiP
13. Luka Luka Night Fever - Samfree
14. My Time by KuchibashiP
15. Popipo - LamazeP
16. Hello, Planet - Sasakure. UK
17. Kocchi Muite Baby - Ryo(supercell)
18. Yellow - kz(livetune)
19. Colorful x Melody - Team MOER
20. Melancholic - Junky
21. Kokoro - Travolta
22. Migikata no Chou - NoriP
23. Fire Flower - Halyosy
24. Iroha Uta - Ginsaku
25. Time machine - 1640mp(164x40mp)
26. Aria - TokuP/lino/kio Nachi
27. Miku miku shite ageru - ika_mo
Encore
28. Though songs have no shape- doriko
29. Melt - supercell

First review!

Alright. As of late, I've been listening to Hatsune Miku songs. Who is this singer you ask? Hatsune Miku is not real, but actually part of a music making program called Vocaloid. A voice actor provided samples of her voice, which is then used for creating the voice for singing songs. Each vocaloid(vocal android) is then giving art and a face, and thus Miku was born. Each vocaloid is associated with a colour, and Miku's is Teal. She is perhaps the most famous one known. Vocaloid has unleashed many talented composers as well as singers. As these are user-generated content, people are encouraged to create as what they create belongs to them, and not a company. As each song earns fame, people do covers for them. Many are found on NicoNico Douga, the Japanese equivalent of Youtube. For more information on Vocaloid, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocaloid. Now onto the video:





Title: Reflect yukkedoluce
Composer: yukkedoluce
Vocals: Hatsune Miku


Awesome no? It tells the story of a boy who hates who he is, and feels that he is not good enough to be with anyone. He seeks to be alone, yet a part of him wants to make friends, experience companionship and escape loneliness. The doll cat like appearance reflects how he sees himself as: ugly, unlovable and the such. He tries to call for help, but he thinks that no one is listening. He finally reaches the point where he simply does not bother anymore. In the end, his inner-self finally breaks free and encourages him to embrace what he is, and that no matter what he is, he will still be able to have friends, and people will hear his voice, as reflected in the various Vocaloid cameos listening via their headphones connected to the mic that he is holding. Most importantly, this song tells us that if we give up on ourselves, then no one can help us. We must listen to our hearts. This song reflects(see what I did there?) a common problem in society, how we push people away and ostracize them. Key examples are those who are terminally ill, fat people, people that look ugly(yea don't say that you never did that, we all have at one point of our lives.) 


Music wise, it really is an ear worm. This song resides in my favourite's playlist. There's even a cover of it done by a Nico Nico singer by the name of Senka. It is as awesome as the original, or possibly even more so. Here it is:





So what do you think? Have you decided to give Miku songs a chance now?

Inactivity

All right, I know I haven't updated anything in a long long while. Real life just happened to decide that I needed a few more challenges. I will be updating more(or rather, start updating again). Additionally, I'll be adding other things as well. I will be updating about the upcoming AFA 2011, especially the I love Anisong concert. Will probably do reviews of songs which have caught my ear. I know that many people may not listen to what I do, but I would like to suggest giving it a chance. Who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised. First song will be coming later!

1 - 5

This time, Roxas returned to his first life. He delibrately messed up his exams, delays his enlistment, following everything with accuracy, with some changes. This time, he finally asked Aqua out. Sadly, the first sign that his body was breaking down first manifested while in National Service. He collapsed while delivering some documents, and needed a defibrillator to restart his heart. Doctors could not figure out the cause, but Roxas knew better. The sands in the hourglass were trickling away more quickly than anyone else's. Black outs were common now. He dedicated much of his time to his love and friends. He finally reached the time when he had first met the mysterious man on the bus. Roxas's body was at it's limit. He fell for the final time, just as he ended work. A voice rang out,"Are you truly happy now? Do you regret your choices?" "No," responded Roxas. "This is what it should be. I only wish that I had realise this earlier..." With that, Death claimed Roxas.

A funeral procession brought a coffin to an empty grave. The priest gave a final blessing, with prayers said. The coffin was laid down, together with tears, and the grave was filled. People in black paid their respects and left.

6 months later....

A metallic object cut a swath through the warm night air, igniting gases in the cemetery and leaving a trail of ghostly green fire*. Hovering above a grave, a mechanical voice rang out:

"Roxas Mao of Earth, RISE."


*This phenomena is also called will-o-wisp, jack-o-lantern, hinkypunk, ghost-light, spook-light, fairy light, friar's lantern, hobby lantern or corpse candle, depending on the country and village. Due to phosphine and methane produced by decomposition of dead bodies, they oxidize in the usually cooler temperature night air(compared to day) causing combustion a thus burning up. Phosphine provides the greenish colouring, while methane as a fuel. Older times thought that they were spirits of the dead, and is quite unsettling to see.


SURPRISE UPDATE! And thus ends the first chapter. Hope you have enjoyed it. Do note that the next one will start the second chapter. As the ending of chapter 1 suggests, it will very much darker. There will be some fairly detailed descriptions of torture(yes, I'm a disturbed person). Some characters might resemble some people you may know, because it is intended. No, I don't hate them, as later parts will show. It's all for the story! Please do not be offended if you think the character may resemble you.

1-4

One day, Roxas decided to pop by the local thumbdrive store.* Sifting through the many albums by various bands and singers, Roxas shook his head sadly. Heavy or Death metal music was prevalent now, so unlike the time when he was much younger when companies still produce the occasional decent music. Rock was rare now. Orchestral was virtually extinct. Instruments like the violin and piano no longer existed. Mentally shaking himself from reminiscing, Roxas head for the favourite section of the store: The clearance section. Gems from his generation were still available here, which no one of the current era wanted anyway. Roxas picked a thumbdrive, and previewed the songs. The first song started playing, and Roxas recoiled like he received a slap. The song** had finally answered what he was always pondering over. Friendship. He had given up friendship in this new life in exchange for incomparable success. He had few friends, none of whom he was close to. He remembers the old and happy times back at MoonCentral, grumbling about outbound cases, sharing dispute experiences, or laughing at a colleague's Bodypage posts on a friend's status update. Grinning while musing over the past, Roxas did not notice that time had come to a halt, A fly froze in mid-flight, drops of water floating eerily in mid-air. With a puff of smoke, the mysterious man from the bus appeared at the store's entrance.

"Child. Are you satisfied with your life?"
Roxas jumped, shocked and surprised. Never did he expect to see the man again.
"Yes. Yes I am"
"Then why do I see regret in your eyes?"
"Nothing escapes you, does it? Yes, I do regret. I regret the sacrificing the friendship and bonds I once had. Great people I had met through the circumstances of life. All my luck has been used to meet the right friends. In a way, they are responsible for this life."
"Would you like another chance?"
"I would. I will follow my former life's path. I will meet and befriend my friends again."
But what of your family? Your wife? Your daughter and your son? The human body is not meant to handle the energies needed to transport your mind, heart and soul back to the past. This time could possibly kill you."
"Aqua, my dearest wife... My adorable daughter Anveena... My cute son Reks..."
Tears were flowing down Roxas's face. Wiping them away and facing the man, Roxas replied,"My daughter and son will never have existed. Yet I cannot continue this farce of a life. How can I face my children with the knowledge that I have sacrifice what is truly important for mortal success? No. Take me back. I will fix this lie."
The man nodded. "Very well, I wish you all the best." A blinding whilte light engulfed Roxas. The next time he opened his eyes, he was in a certain room, ready to take a certain exam...

*The future doesn't use CDs anymore!
** Here's the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kjvlnAlkSE



Ah late late update. Had many stuff to complete. But here it is, better late than never. Leave some comments if you read this!

1 - 3

"LATE LATE YOU ARE LATE LATE LATE YOU ARE LATE" Roxas flipped, only to realise too late that he had actually flipped out of bed. His head was pounding, ears ringing, as if they were adjusting to an unfamiliar environment. Even his sense of smell was messed up. Most importantly(to his great surprise), Roxas retained all of his memories. "ROXAS! GET OUT OF BED THIS INSTANT OR YOU WILL BE LATE FOR YOUR PSLE!" "Yes Mother!", Roxas instinctively replied. It was then, did the words register in his confused mind. PSLE? Not only that, he was in a room he had not seen in 13 years. Even his precious grandfather's White Tigerzord gift stood proudly on his desk! Confirming the reality of the situation with his reflection, he was once again 12 years old.

Roxas aced his PSLE(obviously), considering all the knowledge he had. O'levels were a breeze as well. Deciding to take the JC route for a change, he worked harder, harder than anyone else, appreciating the once-in-a-million lifetime opportunity. Roxas had also finally found the courage to ask the girl of his dreams, Aqua, out. Life was a series of success followed by more success. He had achieved the highest educational level, found cures to various diseases, such as cancer, and he was rich, successful, powerful and influential. Most importantly, he had a beautiful wife and two adorable kids. Yet somewhere deep down, he felt that something was still lacking, or rather, he had lost something he once had. Roxas spent much time and thought on this, but has never been able to come to a conclusion. Fortunately, Lady Luck would once again smile on him.




Notes: Hi folks. People who read this have been asking me when I update this. While I promise to update it each week, the day will depend on my work schedule. Enjoy! Again, leave me comments on what can be improved.

Preview!
1: Roxas finds something!
2: Roxas meets the mysterious man!
3: Roxas gives up everything he has!
Stay tuned for the next part!

Chapter 1 - 2

"Bye guys, see ya tomorrow. I'm heading to Hougang today." Another end to yet another uneventful day at work, Roxas thought to himself. Waving goodbye, he headed for the bus-stop. After a ludricous one hour of waiting, the bus finally arrived. Oddly enough, the double-decked bus was empty. Paying no mind to the weirdness, Roxas boarded and took a seat in the second deck. After three stops, a man in a fedora boarded. This man looked like he was in his early forties, and was giving off the aura of one who had seen and done many things. Roxas's curiosity was piqued, but soon turn to nagging suspicion as the man set beside him, despite the many empty seats.

"Child." Roxas was shaken out of his reverie. Wondering who on earth would call him a "child", he looked around. The bus was still empty, barring himself and the man beside him.
"Are you speaking to me, Mr?"
"Excellent powers of observation young one. Indeed child, I am speaking to you. You don't see anyone else do you?"
"But I am not a ------"
"Child? Minor details, minor details. Let's not get our hair in knots shall we? I'm here to gove you a chance to turn your life around. To fix all past mistakes you have ever made. A chance to alter the past, to change the future. Will you accept?"
"Why me, out of so many people? What is the price I must pay?"
"Why you? I flipped a dice, so to speak. Randomness has decided that you got lucky, nothing more. No price, no sacrifice is needed. This will be the one time where lunch is free. Now, will you accept?"
It was the chance of the life time. Many people would kill, or worse, just for such an opportunity. Turning to the mysterious man(if you can call him a man), Roxas told him," I accept."
"Very new journey begins... Now!" Tapping Roxas on the head, the man stood up and left. Roxas started to blackout, wondering if this was all a horrendous mistake, with the last words from the man ringing in his ears: "Humanity will soon face its greatest tribulation. I pray this will be enough..."

Chapter 1

Roxas. A guy like every other ordinary person. With hopes and dreams, yet unable to achieve any, either by circumstance, ability or simply Fate's cruel hand. Each day, he gets up, goes to work, gets home, eat, logs onto Bodypage, checks out his pals' latest status updates, read some random stuff and heads to bed. Typically generic, also completely boring. Roxas yearns to do something, to shatter his clockwork universe, yet he does not know how to.

This tale, is Roxas's tale. It is a tale of one guy who changes his outlook, his perspective. It is a tale of how one person finds his values, and learns what he truly considers to be of importance. It is a tale of change, tragedy, adversity, and most of all, friendship and redemption.

Part 2 tml!

PS: If anyone can do better writing than me, pls tell me and i'll dump the ideas on you while you flesh it out.

First Post!

Nothing much. Just declaring this a place to store all my ideas before I forget em. Updates are not on a consistent timing. Leave your suggestions to improvements that I could possibly add(better be constructive!). I'll try to update something once every 2 weeks or so. Do check back!