Mushishi Zoku Shou Season 2 - Fragrant Darkness

- "We've had such an unremarkable life" 
- "That's the best kind of life." 
                               -  episode 2 of Mushishi Zoku Shou Season 2

I really enjoyed this episode. It's the simple things that bring the most happiness.

New Music: TROY (트로이) - '변해가 (Why Are We?)' (2014)

TROY's latest music was released at the end of Sept 2014. It's a mid-tempo R&B/Hip hop track about a couple in a long-term relationship and how things may be slowly falling apart. Bumkey also co-produced the song.

Listen below:




Lyrics (English translated):

A lot of time has passed
Since we’ve been together
I thought you would only look at me
Only stay by my side until always
But you’re acting strange these days
Each look you give me
Makes me feel like you’re avoiding me
(Tell me the reason, what’s the problem?)

I feel so distant from you
I can see the end of you and me

(I’m not so sure about our relationship)

I’m not changing
You’re just being distant and so am I

It feels like an empty shell, you already changed
I’m like a lost child, only waiting for you, yeah
You you you, why (why are you)
I I I, why (why am I)
I can’t do anything without you

Your deep eyes that only look at me
It’s changing, it’s changing
Your sweet lips that only called me
It’s changing, it’s changing
Our entwined hands are slowly coming undone
It’s changing, it’s changing
Nothing lasts forever
It’s changing, it’s changing

Wait, something’s weird about you these days
Every day, we keep fighting
Your face, the way you talk, it’s different from before
I’ll tell you straight up, you’re changing in a way I don’t like
Your habits, the same old things we do, I’m sick of them
But that doesn’t mean I don’t like you or anything
When we’re together, I’m lonely, when I’m alone, I miss you
These days, it’s like I’m yours but you’re not mine

My footsteps feel heavy
I stopped and realized I was walking in circles
You keep doubting me
and I explain to you that you’re wrong
I speak in Korean but as if you’re French,
you don’t understand but keep adding to my words
My shoes and the ground keep touching,
the farther we get from each other
You fell in love with me before
but now you’re going against me
It’s always okay for you but not okay for me
Even when we’re together, there’s more silence than words

(I turned off my phone and went outside)

I turned off my phone and my switch for you
I’m meeting eyes with the girls on the street

(But I feel weird, I keep thinking of you)

Wherever I go, I see it, traces of us
Wherever I go, I can’t escape from you

It feels like an empty shell, you already changed
I’m like a lost child, only waiting for you, yeah
You you you, why (why are you)
I I I, why (why am I)
I can’t do anything without you

(Yeah, yeah)
No I won’t let you go
(Yeah, yeah)
No

When you asked for a break to think things through
I said fine, I thought I’d easily get over you
But the memories get even clearer
Wherever I go, I think of you
I realized that my answer is you

It feels like an empty shell, you already changed
I’m like a lost child, only waiting for you, yeah
You you you, why (why are you)
I I I, why (why am I)
I can’t do anything without you

Your deep eyes that only look at me
It’s changing, it’s changing
Your sweet lips that only called me
It’s changing, it’s changing
Our entwined hands are slowly coming undone
It’s changing, it’s changing
Nothing lasts forever
It’s changing, it’s changing

Lyrics (Korean):

참 많은 시간이 지났어
우리 둘이 함께 한 지도
언제까지 내 곁에서
나만 바라볼 줄 알았는데
요즘 들어 부쩍 이상해
나를 보는 너의 눈빛 하나하나까지
나를 멀리하는 것 같아
(이유를 말해줘 뭐가 문제인지)

너무 멀게 느껴져 너와 나의 거리
끝이 보이는듯해 우리 둘 만남이

(자신이 없는 걸 우리 둘의 관계)

변해버린 거는 아냐 너 혼자
어느 순간 멀어져 가 자꾸 나조차

빈 껍데기인 것 같아 이미 변해버린 넌
길 잃은 아이 같아 너만 기다리는 난 yeah
너너너 너는 왜 (너는 왜)
나나나 나는 왜 (나는 왜)
네가 없으면 아무것도 못 하잖아

나만을 바라보던 너의 깊은 눈도
변해가 변해가나 봐
나만을 부르던 너의 달콤한 입도
변해가 변해가나 봐
서서히 풀려가네 깍지 낀 두 손
변해가 변해가나 봐
알잖아 애초에 영원이란 건 없어
변해가 변해가나 봐

잠깐 어딘가 요즘 이상해
하루가 멀다 하고 또 자꾸 다투기만 해
예전과는 다른 네 표정하구 말투
콕 찝어 말해 꼴보기 싫게 변해가는
습관 버릇 같은 만남 지겹고 귀찮아
그렇다고 딱히 뭐 싫고 그런 건 아냐
같이 있음 외롭고 혼자일 땐 그리운
요즘 따라 니꺼인 듯 내꺼 아닌 우리 둘

발이 무거워 터벅터벅
걷다 보니 원을 그리며 같은 자릴 걸어
늘어난 의심 아니라고
한국말로 설명해도
넌 프랑스인같이
못 알아듣고 계속 말해 불어
신발 앞코와 땅이 입 맞춰
우리가 멀어질수록
예전에 내게 반해
이젠 내 말에 반하고 있어
늘 넌 되고 난 안 된단 식 벙 쪄
같이 있어도 말하는 시간보다 많아진 정적

(전화길 꺼두고 밖으로 나갔어)

핸드폰과 너를 향한 스위치를 꺼
길거리 그녀들과 눈빛 스치는 걸

(근데 맘이 이상해 자꾸 네가 떠올라)

어딜 가도 보여 꼭 우리만의 흔적
어딜 가도 전혀 못 벗어나 네 근처

빈 껍데기인 것 같아 이미 변해버린 넌
길 잃은 아이 같아 너만 기다리는 난 yeah
너너너 너는 왜 (너는 왜)
나나나 나는 왜 (나는 왜)
네가 없으면 아무것도 못 하잖아

(Yeah, yeah)
No I won’t let you go
(Yeah, yeah)
No

떨어져 생각할 시간을 갖자던
네 말에 난 좋다 해 쉽게 잊을 줄 알았어
근데 추억이 더욱 선명해 네가
어딜 가도 떠올라 깨달았어
내 정답은 너란 걸

빈 껍데기인 것 같아 이미 변해버린 넌
길 잃은 아이 같아 너만 기다리는 난 yeah
너너너 너는 왜 (너는 왜)
나나나 나는 왜 (나는 왜)
네가 없으면 아무것도 못 하잖아

나만을 바라보던 너의 깊은 눈도
변해가 변해가나 봐
나만을 부르던 너의 달콤한 입도
변해가 변해가나 봐
서서히 풀려가네 깍지 낀 두 손
변해가 변해가나 봐
알잖아 애초에 영원이란 건 없어
변해가 변해가나 봐 


lyrics Korean credit: music.daum.net
lyrics English translated credit: pop!gasa

Anime Series Brief Reviews (Part 4)

Summer 2014 anime series that I watched:

- Tokyo Ghoul

An interesting plot about a guy who was transformed into a half-ghoul due to an accident. A ghoul is a human-like creature who hunts and eats humans. This guy has a hard time dealing with the fact that he is now a half-ghoul. A story about how he deals with this change, keeping his identity secret from other humans and understanding the ghoul society and his powers. Most of the characters are interesting. However, the main character can be annoying sometimes but redeems himself near the end. 

Rating: 8/10

- Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun / Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun

This anime always makes me smile or laugh out loud. It is a story about a high school girl who has a crush on a guy but when she confesses, he mistakes her for a fan and gives her an autograph. She soon discovers that he is actually a renowned shoujo manga artist, and so she becomes his assistant. They encounter other schoolmates who are also assistants or serve as inspirations for characters in the stories. The characters are all very likeable and well developed. It's hilarious how it flips all the gender roles of the shoujo romance genre and also gives a new spin to cliché romantic scenarios, such as a couple with an umbrella on a rainy day. This anime is a must-watch!

Rating: 9/10

- Barakamon

A story about a young calligrapher who was send off to a small island as a punishment for punching a famous calligrapher. This young guy is actually a city boy and is not used to the country life. This is a fun, simple yet meaningful story that explores several topics such as friendship, self-motivation, independence, and choice and its consequences. All the characters are likeable, and the art and animation are well done.

Rating: 8/10

Older anime series I recently finished watching:

- Nurarihyon no Mago / Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan

A very interesting story about a young boy, Rikuo, who appears to be a normal kid, but he is actually the grandson of Nurarihyon, master of a yokai clan. He has a human form in the day but transforms into his yokai form at night. He eventually accepts the position of the head of the Nura Clan, but multiple clans try to stop him or usurp his position. I really enjoy the storyline and the action scenes always kept me at the edge of my seat.  The characters are enjoyable to watch except Rikuo's human friends as they are quite pointless. The art and animation are excellent though.

Rating: 9/10

Year released: 2010-2011

Additional info: 24 episodes/season (2 seasons total)

Recommended Anime Movies (Updated May 2015)

Here is a list of anime movies that I would highly recommend. The list will be continuously updated.


- Hayao Miyazaki's and Studio Ghibli films
(Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, The Cat Returns, Tales from Earthsea, Ponyo, Arrietty, Grave of the Fireflies, From Up on Poppy Hill, The Wind Rises, When Marnie Was There, Lupin the Third: Castle of Cagliostro)

- Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011)

- Summer Wars (2009)

- Professor Layton and The Eternal Diva (2009)

- Hotarubi no Mori e (Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light) (2011)

- Wolf Children (2012)

- Digimon: The Movie (2000)

New Music: One Way - " 빈둥빈둥 (Let's Just Chill)"(2014)

One Way is back!! Good to hear from them again! They released a new single on Aug. 13, 2014, entitled, "Let's Just Chill". It's a very relaxing and soothing R&B track.

Listen below:

Update on some posts

Update on the following posts:

Music
- Bumkey's Artist Bio
- Ra.D's Artist Bio

Anime
- My Top Anime Series - updated list

Anime Series Brief Reviews (Part 3)

Spring 2014 anime series that I watched:

- Mushishi Zoku Shou + Mushishi Zoku Shou Special

This is the second season of Mushishi (see my review of first season here). This season is split into 2, one airing in the spring and the second half will be aired in the fall. The story continues with Ginko's adventure and his encounters with different mushi. Perhaps due to the lack of variety of stories or perhaps the stories in season 1 just stood out more, I find the first season to be more interesting. I enjoy the recurring characters such as Adashino and Tanyuu, and their interactions with Ginko. As always, the art and animation are perfect.

Rating: 8/10

- Black Bullet

A story about humans defeated by viral parasites and are exiled into a small territory. A guy and his partner are part of an organization specialized in fighting against these parasites. The plot, the action scenes and the characters are all quite enjoyable. The harem setting is not too overwhelming, but it would be nice without it. Also, the story is a bit rushed and the ending is open-ended, which left some questions unanswered. 

Rating: 7/10

- Gokukoku no Brynhildr

A story about a guy whose childhood friend wanted to show him that aliens do exist, but then she died in an accident. Years later, he meets a new transfer student from his class that looks a lot like his childhood friend. It has an interesting and dark plot that involves aliens and witches but the story isn't well carried out. The tone of the series is mostly serious but it has too many suggestive scenes which isn't necessary and quite annoying. I couldn't take the show seriously anymore. 

Rating: 7/10

- Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou

A story about the daily life of a guy who lives n a boarding house. He realizes that the girl he admires from school also live there. In the boarding house, he meets some very interesting people. The characters are likeable but there is really nothing exciting or special that keeps me interested. Overall, a mediocre series. 

Rating: 6/10

Older anime series I recently finished watching:

- Soul Eater

An interesting story about a Shinigami training school for humans who has the ability to transform into weapons as well as the wielders of those weapons, called meisters. The adventures of these meisters and their human weapons involve gathering souls, attending school to become stronger and defending Death City from powerful creatures. An action-packed story with great character development. Most of the characters are interesting except Excalibur, who is very annoying. The art and animation are also quite unique too. 

Rating: 9/10

Year released: 2008-2009