Anime Music Videos, or AMVs for short, are appearing more and more on YouTube. Why? Well, to show your appreciation for a show, instead of just clipping out your favorite scenes and sharing it with others, making a full-blown music video is a little more creative and way more impressive.
You can add special effects, use epic-sounding music, control the mood (sad, funny, etc), and basically make a true work of art.
One of my favorite artists is “Raven” - she makes remarkably good AMVs for Avatar. I honestly don’t expect many people beside Charlene and David to appreciate this, but these are pretty cool to watch and they have great music. Hope you like them too. =)
Katara - Mojave / Great focus on character
Avatar - Into the Fire / Good display of character emotions
The “mecha” genre in anime has long been a criticized one.
It’s not because giant robots are impractical or childish (as if anime ever obeyed realistic physics), but because they usually follow a rehashed formula… child finds giant robot, discovers he has some hidden power inside him, meets terrifying enemy (aliens, military, etc), and becomes a better fighter using his mecha until he single-handedly defeats said enemy.
And in this overdone genre, Eureka Seven stands out. Why? Because it tries to be different. That’s not to say it doesn’t contain elements from its genre roots… yes, there’s a mecha, and yes there’s a child with some overpowered abilities… but Eureka Seven goes far beyond that. This isn’t a plot of “travel from point A to B” or “go from zero to hero” – it’s a tale of a boy who needs more from life, who needs to know what he’s supposed to do in this world, and mainly how everyday events keep changing not just him but the people around him. From dealing with his first serious crush, to deciding whether it’s alright to kill an army through a weapon of mass-destruction, Eureka Seven wants to flesh out its characters and story far beyond the typical mecha show.
However, just having a grand scope isn’t enough to make a good show. Fleshing out your characters isn’t worth it if they aren’t likable, and fleshing out your story isn’t worthwhile if it becomes too complicated or confusing. *cough EVANGELION cough* It’s not enough to have a strong idea for a foundation if its parts aren’t put together well. So let’s just find out for ourselves how entertaining this modern mecha is, and whether it will be as memorable as it promises or not…
As the night started and I wondered how to spend it– and I immediately thought of a couple fun ways to keep entertained– I also wondered if I should spend some time with God.
And the question came, do I have to? Since I already spent prayer and study time earlier? I know God isn’t bothered by our usual entertainment time; it’s the condition of our heart that matters. So what’s a good balance between time with the Lord, and everything else?
Then I thought… Heck with it. I want to spend some time with God. =) I want to love Him more than anything else. So I started praying. And almost immediately, I could feel His presence in the room and this sensation of… He loves me and wants me to know it. I thought, this is what it feels like, to feel loved. And I started thinking about the words in this song by Dennis Jernigan, so I played it… and afterwards, decided to blog on it…
Please press the Play button below and hear it for yourself. Just listen to the words, don’t even finish reading until it’s finished. The song is simple, but Holy Spirit inspired:
Sometimes we approach life and perceive God as a set of rules we must abide by, in order to live a full and blessed life. But that’s not what our connection to God is about. It’s not what we were made for. We were made for something much more personal.
And as I listen to this song, I’m reminded… my Father loves me. I can feel loved. He’s actually interested in me… me, as an individual. I’ve seen his favor and forgiveness countless times. And it wasn’t because I earned it, it was because He outright loved me as I am.
It’s such a basic lesson, I know. But sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of the basics. It’s all about love. It’s all about God’s love. And in this daily life… where it feels like I’m not enough, or one slip-up or breaking of the rules and it could all topple over (though that’s a deception)… it’s a comforting thought that I’m loved that much. I don’t live to follow the rules or have a good life. I live this road because I love God, and He loved me first.
Three days ago, I woke up at 9 o’clock sharp with a song verse in my head. I had heard this song at church once before… it was The New Breed by Vincent Vera… and this particular verse had stood out for me… and normally it was going to be all but forgotten from my mind over the next few days. But not this time.
I immediately started up the internet, looked up this song, and listened carefully to the words. Thinking back, I just felt strongly led to do it, there was no regular explanation for why I looked it up with such urgency. And then the word’s came, and I could feel the Holy Spirit asking me “how long…”
And now all that I see is a field that needs mowin’
An alley to clean and some people worth knowin’
And buying into all the world’s indigestion
Is wasted on me, for I’ve only one question
How long are you planning on saving yourself
‘Til you finally move on to somebody else
And deliver yourself from your spiritual greed
For to gather the spoils of nations….
When we rise as the new breed….
Perhaps this song won’t have quite the same impact on others as it did on me. But as with most people… the folks who meet me, at first glance, probably have no idea what turmoil rages inside my heart. How conflicted I feel at times, my soul torn in two directions. I want to do one thing, yet another part of me pulls the other way. I’ve always believed that the Lord God’s side would ultimately win, that it’s inevitable that His plan for my life will prevail. Yet I kept putting it off– wanting to enjoy my life as I see fit (though I hate myself for it) and not face the hardships His narrow path would bring me– almost like I’m waiting for him to wave a wand and all selfish problems go away. Or most likely, I was just waiting for him to break me and make me cry, straighten me out. No struggles on my part me if he does the changing that fast.
But no… He won’t hear of it. Instead He gives me Choice. He shows me both roads; reminds me how depressing the fleshly one is and how much I hate it, and that putting trust in His path always seems to make me happy and refreshed. He beckons me but won’t “fix me” right away.
And then that morning, he tells me “How long are you planning on saving yourself… until you finally move on to somebody else…”. How long am I planning on living for myself? How long until I live for others and love/bless as I actually really love to do? He tells me “How long are you planning on making Me wait?”.
When I think about it, I don’t really want to be broken. Mankind’s nature is like a young child: it can certainly listen but it can certainly turn stubborn, and the only thing that will get through to it in those times is discipline and some sort of pain. Whether it’s a slap or being grounded, we finally get the message and want to straighten out. But after everything I’ve been through… after seeing my Dad pass away and an adult level of pain… do I really want more? Do I want to find out what a slap from God feels like?
As Paul wrote, God forbid.
In fact, I know that God doesn’t even want that. He’s the perfect father, and no good father enjoys disciplining his children. He is, praise Him, very patient. Read the book of Jeremiah and the other biblical prophets to understand just how patient He is.
What I really want… no, that’s poor wording; it’s not a want or even close to everyday desires/lusts… what my heart really desires… what the deep part of me is really thirsty for… is life. A full life, a great life. And I want it to be orchestrated by God, because I believe His best for me is better than anything I could plan out. Because I have tried the world’s ways– my own ways– and they are not life. I’m finally understanding why the Bible calls this “death”. My everyday life feels: asleep.
So when I go to church on Sunday morning and praise and worship… and I feel more alive and joyful than ever… why is that? One moment has God in it, the rest does not. Having seen God do amazing things in my family and friend’s lives; having seen him refresh me and sooth me like nothing else does; having seen the wonderful works of God and loving it vs the sleepy works of myself… perhaps it’s time for me to change, and starting living for my Father. Because I just love Him.
What about that terribly loud voice that says “Stay away from all that… it’s not fun”? I’ve listened to it for over 9 years now. I don’t really want to listen to it anymore. I remember where it led me. And I know where God’s leading me. And I know I love Him, and He loved me first. He’s been there for me even when I haven’t been there for Him. So… you make a good point Lord… what am I waiting for?
I agree. Goodbye self, goodbye Satan, goodbye world and your conflicting ways. It’s been fun- in every sense of the word- but I have found somebody else. I’ve found somebody with life and joy, my heart’s desire, a love to fill my dying soul. And though you may try to scream at me, I am rather tired of your face and voice- I hate it, actually- I love my Father and will seek His face out with all my seeking- I choose Living Water. I choose a new life with Him.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Lord, I’m sorry I’ve been gone. Will you build me up again? I’m tired of saving myself, and so I give my life up. I’m putting all the cards on the table, entrusting everything to you. Abba, Father, I trust you.
As many regular TV watchers know, having a good opening sequence for a TV series can really affect a person’s impression on that show.
And so I find great laughs when some wise-guy takes an opening (which probably took the creators’ hours of painstaking thought to make) and quickly animates it in a spoof-form. Anime has some of the best examples.
For instance, here’s the original to the show Bleach… WATCH THIS FIRST:
…it doesn’t have a lot of action, but I rather enjoy the music and how well it highlights all the main characters. Now the fan’s “remake”:
Only fans will understand my next few comments on this… but HAHAHAHA! Poor Rukia! And she’s so adorable! Ichigo is nasty, chopping limbs like that… Urahara is as weird as ever… I won’t even comment on Chad’s lips… and Kuchiki Byakua is cute after all!
But you thought that was awkward, no… it gets better:
I don’t have to describe what was wrong with that video. Here is the original intro that it’s based on:
And so on. It’s quite obvious that some of these genius flash-animation programmers have waaaaaay too much time on their hands.
I will stop about here with the silly spoof list before this blog loses all self-respect (I know, too late). Note that you can look up other such funny parodies on YouTube.
But here’s the links to original high-quality openings, enjoy!
Stumbled upon an older music group the other day, and I am really liking their music.
The name: Capsule (though actually spelled with a lowercase C).
I’ve only really heard 2 of their songs so far, but if that’s any indication of their overall style then I look forward to hearing their other singles too.
1. Jumper. You should know that serious electronica is a love-it-or-hate-it thing. And this is electronica through-and-through, so you really have to like the genre to appreciate it. Fortunately, I love it. Ever since a friend suggested some foreign music and a few electronica tracks to me 3 years ago (yes, I’m looking at you Jill! xD), I’ve been hooked on these styles ever since.
“Ankles strapped our secrets slaved march breaking like a fruit just like you leaning bouncing feel the speed of landing stepping jumping jumper”
That line pretty much says the lyrics for the entire 7 minutes of song.
What I notice about it…
* 1) It’s really memorable.
* 2) The beat from 0:50 to 1:18 just feels so off, but its so “out” of place that it feels “in” - am I making any sense? - maybe it’s just been a while since I heard techno with good originality in their beat.
* 3) This music video is the most hypnotizing PV I’ve ever seen, in a good way.
Oh, make sure you play in HQ (High Quality button). And if you’re new to electronica, then like with any new song, I recommend hearing at least 2 minutes of the song before giving up on it.
2. Sugarless Girl. Unlike the former track, this is much “softer” techno. In fact, it’s not even the same genre, this is under the category “technopop”.
The mark of a good pop song? It sticks in your head loooong after the song ended.
Capsule is a Japanese electronic music group, comprised of vocalist Toshiko Koshijima and music producer Yasutaka Nakata. That’s right, 2 people ran this group: the singer/performer, and the music producer.
The music producer Nakata eventually dropped the project, I don’t know the full history yet. However, I quickly noticed that Sugarless Girl has a style that oddly resembles what I’ve heard in his latest technopop group, Perfume. Different voice and way more “serious” feel than Perfume - but the rythem of Nakata hasn’t changed apparently.
No arguments from me! I love Perfume’s style with a passion, and so far I’m enjoying his former project Capsule almost as much.
There was a time when Israel (God’s chosen people) was acting like a rebellious child itself. The people basically turned rebellious and proud, so the Lord sent prophet upon prophet to beckon and warn them back, but they would not hear Him. Here’s an interesting piece written by the prophet Ezekiel in that period…
Ezekiel 3:4 And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.
Ezekiel 3:5 For thou [art] not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, [but] to the house of Israel;
Ezekiel 3:6 Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.
Ezekiel 3:7 But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel [are] impudent and hardhearted.
As most Bible readers know, the Lord soon chastised Israel and broke them for a time. They were conquered by the Babylon empire and its people were literally scattered all across the globe. And though he worked many might deeds during that time (see the books of Daniel, Esther, and others), it wasn’t until many many generations later that the country was reformed.
Now God still hasn’t broken His promise with His chosen people Israel (seriously, this country from B.C. times is still alive? Don’t tell me no one’s watching out for them!), but he’s also chosen a second people: the Christian church, under Jesus Christ.
So what’s the relevance of Israel and the old warnings that God sent through the prophets? Because much of His church today is repeating Israel’s mistakes. They are so distracted by the immediate cares of this life that they lose sight of God and His kingdom. And as he sent watchmen to warn His children back then (the prophets), so history is repeating today.
To think the Lord actually gives such creativity and talent out like this is wonderful to see. I’m surprised that so few people have heard about Sand Art before, though there’s a lot of other videos on YouTube if you look for it.
This particular video was sent from Mom to my inbox, thanks for the find!
Here’s a few clips and more about learning Japanese that I (being one who watches too much Japanese anime shows and music) thought was hilarious. I originally found a copy at this blog, much thanks to the author there, though I’m only including my favorite parts.
He’s 1/4 Japanese, 1/8 Korean, 1/8 Filipino, 1/4 Dutch, 1/4 Irish (with Chinese and Hawaiian in there somewhere). Lives in Portland, Oregon, and started learning Japanese from High School because he wanted to connect more with his heritage.
While his videos are great, there’s a totally unrelated humorous paper that I stumbled upon with it. It’s a joke to a large extent (I’m sure there’s some truth behind it though). I just found some of it hilarious and wanted to share for the sake of your amusement…
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is probably best described as an experimental anime. It is downright unpredictable and tries to fit in the comedy genre using that. If you’re not one to enjoy randomness in your stories then feel free to skip this anime, it’s simply not the comedy style for you; but for me who loves the randomness of life and can really laugh at that… this show caught my attention from episode 1.
It doesn’t nicely fit into any one genre, with comedic moments, musical moments, drama moments, action moments, mystery moments, and slice-of-life moments; in fact, this show is most simply described as… yes… “random”. It has become extremely popular in the anime industry to the point where some would call it an iconic classic. Whether it’s the all-perfect example of anime that it’s portrayed as, or simply overhyped, I was never looking to figure out. I find it difficult to be content with a show or anything if I have strange expectations for it. Let’s just see for ourselves what Haruhi is all about, and how much we’ll enjoy an experimental sci-fi comedy adventure…
