HEY! SAY! JUMP JUMPING C4R ALBUM

Hi! Today, I'm posting about the newest album by the idol group Hey! Say! JUMP. Their latest album is entitled JUMPing C4R. Well yes, again, it's a pun on the group's name. :)

This is just a commentary post about my first impression upon listening to each track, I won't dissect or talk about the meaning of the lyrics because I haven't seen translations yet, and my Japanese is still on a very low level. Also, no download links whatsoever here.^^ If you want the album's tracklist, you can find it here.

I'm only going to comment on the songs from the regular edition, and I'm not including the bonus tracks.

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Track No. 1: Fantasist

They always have this instrumental for intro on their albums. This one is is pretty amusing. It's sounds quite thrilling, it seems you're up for something really wonderful.

Track No. 2: JUMPing Car

I really love the intro and Yama-chan's first "whew-whew" if that's how to spell it! XD I think it has a really summery feeling, like you may want to hear this while on your way to the beach or something! XD :) Pretty catchy and I really like "whew-whew!" Hahaha!

Track No. 3: Walk

I don't favor it that much. I don't think it will stick will me soon. I mean, I don't think I'll remember the lyrics anytime soon. Hehe.

Track No. 4: SHen SHera Shen

SHen SHera Shen~ SHen SHera Shen~ I wonder if they'll have a dance for this! I think the chorus is so danceable! (Okay, I know there's no such word as danceable lol but that's how I want to describe it!) The chorus is cute, while the bridge part is cool! SHen SHera Shen~ SHen SHera Shen~ ♥ Hahahaha!

Track No. 5: Weekender

Well, this is a pretty old release since it's a single that was released last year. I really like this song, this was the ending song for Yamada Ryosuke and Arioka Daiki's drama Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo. This is pretty addictive, or maybe I think so because I've heard it lots of times already. XD :)

Track No. 6: Kira Kira Hikare

I don't find the other parts that good, but I like the chorus a lot. I might just go on singing the chorus one of these days. Lol.

Track No. 7: Ai yo boku wo Michibiite Yuke

This has a different feel, but it is very nice. While I don't see myself having this as my favorite, I wouldn't mind hearing it from time to time, just to feel another side of JUMP's singing. ♥

Track No. 8: Fever

I'm really not into this kind of songs, even Arashi songs like this, I don't find myself listening to them that much. The intro just lost my interest. XD :)

Track No. 9: Boys don't stop

This feels like a song that KAT-TUN or maybe Sexy Zone will sing, it's so not JUMP! Hahaha. But, it's quite pleasant but not a favorite.^^ 

Track No. 10: Dangerous

This one has a different feel as well, but it's like a Boku wa Vampire sequel in a way. XD :) I can sense a vampire feel somehow!

Track No. 11: Chau#

While this was released as a single before the album, I honestly haven't listened to it. Idk why, I feel so outdated. :( Anyway, it's a very lively song! XD Feels a little like an NYC song.

Track No. 12: Yowamushi☆Shooter

I love the title! Lol. I love stars so I'm really attracted to its title! XD I like this a little, but not too much, but I guess if I listen to this more I'm going to like it a lot.

Track No. 13: Ashita e no YELL

This one is pretty hooking in its own way, and it was very fitting for Nakajima Yuto and Takaki Yuya's drama Suikyu Yankees.

Track No. 14: Farewell

I thought this will be a pretty dramatic and slow song because of the title Farewell, but it's so upbeat! I'm not into upbeat tunes so much, tbh. I don't think I'm going to get hooked with this song.

Track No. 15: Very very happy

Omg. I thought this one will be a very upbeat song. Are they sure they didn't get Farewell and Very very happy mixed up? Lol. Or maybe they did that on purpose. This is a love ballad, I love it. It seems it's full of feels! I can't wait to see translations! I love this one! But it's awkward to say "My favorite song is Very very happy" XD :)

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My favorites from this JUMPing C4R album are JUMPing C4R, SHen SHera SHen, Weekender, Ashita e no YELL, and Very very happy.

Omg, it was so nice to be reminded how much I love Yamada Ryosuke's voice! I haven't listened to their songs lately but since Yamada's voice is the most prominent in their songs, I was reminded that I miss him! I'm so glad Inoo Kei is getting more and more lines in the songs too. Those two are my ichiban and niban in this group, btw.^^ Also, it hit me I need my dose of Hey! Say! JUMP, well I love them all, of course! ♥

Anime: True Tears

I didn't plan on picking up this anime entitled True Tears again after I've dropped it years ago. I dropped it because I got bored with the first episode. But then, I encountered a post in Saiko+, an social android app for anime/manga enthusiasts, the post is a poll asking whether you are in favor or not of who ended up with the lead character Nakagami Shinichiro. Since I have time, I decided to give it a shot once more.

This post is just a post that will be full of my commentaries on who the male lead character ended up with in the 13-episode anime True Tears.

If you haven't watched it yet, you can stream or download it here on KissAnime. Better stop reading after this paragraph and watch it first so you won't be spoiled. I hope you'll come back and read this blog post after though. It would be great if I can hear your thoughts on this as well. :)

Now, I'll introduce the ladies in Shinichiro's life first.

Yuasa Hiromi

She's your typical heroine with good looks, demure type. She's a childhood of friend of Shinichiro and she is now living with Shinichiro's family after both of her parents died. She liked Shinichiro ever since they were young.

Isurugi Noe

She's regarded in their school as a weirdo who curses people. Shinichiro meets her in a weird way as well. They will spend more and more time with each other, and eventually will start a relationship.

Andou Aiko

She's a friend of Shinichiro. She starts going out with Shinichiro's friend, Miyokichi, even though she has feelings for Shinichiro as well.

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Aiko restarted her relationship with Miyokichi, she started accepting that Shinichiro doesn't have feelings for her and started accepting the warmth and love Miyokichi is offering, and that was favorable.

However, Shinichiro ended up with Hiromi. 

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Okay, so now that I'm done with the introductions and I've spilled who Shinichiro ended up with, I'm going to share in here a heavy piece of my mind. I guess one should have watched True Tears to understand where I'm coming from.

So, do I favor who Shinichiro ended up with? NO.

I understand Hiromi has a lot on her plate, but no. She's such a turn off all throughout the series, and I'm going to clearly point out why I think she was.

1. On episode 2, she backstabbed Noe. She told Shinichiro that Noe picks up boys randomly. She just heard it from hearsay. That's so sly, so lowly of her.

2. On episode 10, Shinichiro said he's the one who can wipe off Hiromi's tears so he's going to her. Heck, Hiromi isn't the only one who's in tears, both Noe and Aiko are lonely too but they decided to wipe off their own tears. Hiromi can do that, but she won't do it, because she lives off wanting to be pitied upon.

3. While Hiromi just told Noe that she's good in attracting people with her innocent/weird persona, Noe has been pondering. Hiromi was this annoying girl who wants pity. Why does she act like she's the only one who is tired, sad, and helpless? She said Noe was trying to be this innocent type but Noe while being childlike, understands it than most of the characters.

4.  On episode 12, Noe was blaming herself because she didn't understand the feelings of her brother, of Hiromi, of Shinichiro. While Hiromi? She was this selfish hag who bluntly tells Noe to not bother her and Shinichiro anymore. She doesn't even try to understand others, she makes me want to puke, seriously.

5. On the last episode, Hiromi told Shinichiro she wants everything to be cleared and lets him to have a talk with Noe. Wow, seriously? Why now? What a goody two shoes! It feels like she just doesn't want to feel that bad of herself. So after doing all those sly stuff and confirming it's her who Shinichiro really likes and not Noe, she goes on with this decision. So selfish.

If I'll be asked who I want to end up with Shinichiro, I'll say I want them all to live separate ways and grow apart. They're still young and they still have a lot to learn. They gave off the vibe that they are so fixated with each other and their ideas of love, and it just reflects their immaturity. That is bearable in romcoms, but this anime is more on drama. It should be more of an eye opener, than just an eye candy to the viewers.

I don't like the idea that Shinichiro might just go on licking Hiromi's wounds in the future, that's not good. So if I have to choose, I prefer Noe for Shinichiro. I think it's going to be a healthier relationship because I can see that they can calm each other's hearts. It's not just all about licking each other's wounds, but it's going to be more of cheering each other on. I just hope our hero ended up with a heroine who can probably bring out his potential more.

But anyway, True Tears was a good watch despite who the hero ended up with, it made me reflect on a lot of things, and it's full of feels. Oh well, now I'm glad I have let out my opinion about this here.

That's about it. Well then!

Tatakau! Shoten Girl Drama Review

(Photo credits goes to its rightful owners)

"Pegasus Bookstore is going through hard times due to competition from internet bookstores. Kitamura Aki and Nishioka Riko are employees at Pegasus Bookstore. Aki is 23 years old. She has a strong will and freewheeling personality. She places her job and dreams above marriage. Riko is a 40-year-old single woman. She is the vice-manager at the bookstore. She has pride in her work. The two women have completely different personalities." (from dramawiki)

Rating: 10 is the highest, 0 is the lowest. Please view my criteria here.
(This may contain spoilers, I tried to limit them, but please read at your own discretion.)

Interesting synopsis: +1
Yes. I don't have any idea how bookstores actually work, and this is not a very common setting, thought not very unique either, it still piqued my interest. 

Story development: +1
Every episode turns out favorable.

Conclusion: +1
Thumbs up for this. I'm still doubting that Nishioka and Mita can actually be together (these characters are portrayed by Inamori Izumi and Chiba Yudai), I really like it that Kitamura Aki (portrayed by Watanabe Mayu) ended up with the character who's really suited for her. I wanted Inamori Izumi's character to have ended up with Tanabe Seichii's character though. She let him get back with his ex-wife? That ex-wife was a cheater, right? I know it'll be hard for the child, but that was wrong I think, just staying for the sake of the child. I think the child will feel bad about it too.

Members of the cast: +1
Inoo Kei!!! He's the primary reason that this drama got my interest! He's my 2nd favorite member of idol group Hey! Say! JUMP. I like Watanabe Mayu (or Mayuyu) too, she's pretty cute. I'm loving Chiba Yudai lately, and I can't deny I've been falling and falling more. And Daito Shunsuke, oh yes ♥ 

Portrayal of roles: +1
I haven't watched a lot of Inamori Izumi's dramas, but basing from this drama, I actually don't like her acting style that much. She's good but I think she's a little stiff? I hope she can revive my opinion about her when I watch more of her dramas in the future, she's really pretty for her age though! I honestly felt awkward watching Mayuyu act, her amateur being is really obvious, but I think that's forgivable since she doesn't have much acting experience yet. Her facial expressions are still very limited. The awkwardness kind of lessen during the latter episodes though, I guess she already learned and improved a little. Chiba Yudai is good as usual. I just hope Yudai and Mayuyu worked on their chemistry a little so I could've cheered for them a little too, but oh well. But, did anyone cheer for this pair? They don't have chemistry, not at all, in my opinion. For Daito Shunsuke, he really suited the character well and I guess this is my most favorite portrayal of him by far. I just appreciated the character so much because of his expressions. I'll comment on Inoo Kei too even though his only a supporting character. He did pretty fine. I hope he can have more heavy roles though.

Character development: +1
Yes, I just hope Aki realized it's not just all about her. The nerve! She was really annoying in the first half of the series! Obata was really great, I thought he was this humorous random guy and that he'll remain like that, but he became this guy I admire most in this drama! I guess Nishioka learned from Aki, but I hope she would stop acting like a timid-type teenager or something. Lol. Nothing much on Chiba Yudai's character. I just hope he stopped being this guy who is seemingly trying hard to be mature, that's what his character is like.

OST/Theme song/Insert song used: +1
Mayuyu's song is pretty good.

Every episode was a fun watch: +1

Yes, well I really like Chiba Yudai, Inoo Kei and Daito Shunsuke so... XD But really, it's not that bad. :)

Made me anticipate for the next episodes: +1

Yes, because of Obata! It was such a delight to watch him!

It became a favorite: +1
Yes, I guess so, because I really like the members of the cast and the story is good and fun too! 

(minus .5)
Because of this (quoting myself lol) "I wanted Inamori Izumi's character to have ended up with Tanabe Seichii's character though. She let him get back with his ex-wife? That ex-wife was a cheater, right? I know it'll be hard for the child, but that was wrong I think, just staying for the sake of the child. I think the child will feel bad about it too."

(minus .5)
Because while the guys are really good actors, Inamori Izumi was a little stiff and Mayuyu was awkward to watch.

(minus .5)
Because of this (quoting myself again lol) "Nothing much on Chiba Yudai's character. I just hope he stopped being this guy who is seemingly trying hard to be mature, that's what his character is like."

Final Rating: 8.5/10  

Other comments/thoughts:
The story is not bad, it's actually entertaining. I just hope Mayuyu wasn't that awkward to watch, and Inamori Izumi doesn't give off a stiff vibe!