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With the summer simulcast season almost upon us, new Bleach and Naruto episodes being released every week and conventions popping up left and right, there's just a lot going on!
Also, CR will be down at Anime Expo so be sure look for us and our panel down there, as well as a potential CR gathering with some free giveaways! More information coming soon, so keep your eyes open for more announcements! And if you are going to be in LA that weekend, don't forget to check out YOSHIKI-san from X JAPAN, as he will be hosting a special party for charities: Grammy Foundation and the St. Vincent Meals on Wheels on July 1st! This is FREE event. Just register here to jump on board: www.jrockrevolution.com |
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Written by Eclipsed_Oblivion
 Classical music is sometimes described as “boring” or “ancient”, and it is that conception that turns off people from listening to it. However, when given the chance, that is not nearly the case. Although classical music may indeed not be for everyone, that is no reason to not watch La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo, which means The Golden String - The First Step in Italian. Even though this anime’s main focus is on classical music, that is only one aspect of it. Its story, characters, and elements of both magic and realism have contributed much to it’s popularity. Those who can play an instrument may feel a very deep connection to La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo’s story, but its brilliant incorporation of classical music was done in such a way that it doesn’t matter if you have experience with classical music; this anime can be enjoyed by anyone.
La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo is the story of Kahoko Hino, a girl who attends the music-focused Seiso Academy. However, she is in the general education department and cannot play an instrument. One day, Kahoko is rushing to school when she sees a music fairy, but in disbelief, she ignores it. Later, she hears through the PA announcements that she, along with several students from the music department, has been chosen to play in the school’s music concert. The music fairy insists that she participate, and gives her a magic violin that anyone can play. La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo’s ingenious combination of both magic and realism stand out, yet the musical aspect of it makes this anime unique from any other.
 Music is a major element of La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo. Although it is possible to watch this anime without musical experience, being able to play an instrument will give you a better understanding of it. The pieces played by the characters in this anime are real pieces, and when sheet music is shown, it contains the actual notes to the piece. La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo wasn’t just quickly animated, and there was obviously research done to make it realistic. This can also be seen through the musical technique displayed in this anime, most obviously through vibrato. Vibrato, which is used only with string instruments, gives a note a very warm sound by a musician quickly fluctuating its pitch. This can be identified by the musician’s wrist moving back and forth while playing a note. Kahoko and other string players are often shown playing vibrato, a detail pleasant to all string players. For the viewers with no knowledge of music, this show has cute, educational bits at the end about the instruments and orchestras. These are great for helping the average viewer to better understand the characters and the instruments of La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo.
 Fantasy and realism within La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo were well blended to create an anime of magical proportions. This anime feels like it could be a real life predicament: a regular high schooler finds herself thrust into the school concert and is bullied by jealous girls in the music department. This can be related to by many, but the involvement of the music fairy is what makes La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo truly shine as an anime. Even classical music becomes more fun with the intervention of fantasy. Kahoko is given a violin that allows even a beginner to play it beautifully, but she must play the piece with her heart. Similarly, a genius may be able to play a difficult piece perfectly, but it is the emotion he plays with that makes the audience embrace the piece. La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo is not your typical anime, and the magic involved certainly isn’t “attack magic.” This separates it from many of today’s popular, overrated anime with constant battles and over powered attacks. It is unique in its own right.
 La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo is more than just music and magic. The characters are easy to relate to, they all have human characteristics, and the story is well developed. Kahoko knows nothing of music, but learns to love the violin as she learns what the meaning of music is to her. However, she is bullied by jealous girls, which unfortunately happens in real life. She remains a warm, honest person though, and that makes her likable. The romance factor eventually takes a big part in La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo, but it is its gradual entrance that makes it more meaningful. People don’t usually fall in love right away, so the developing romance makes this anime more realistic. The fun, educational bits mentioned earlier also can be very enjoyable to regular viewers. Some enjoy learning, and the information at the end makes this show amazing in an unusual aspect.
La Corda D’Oro - Primo Passo is a spectacular anime with a perfect combination of music, romance, fantasy, realism, and even education. No matter where your interests lie, this anime is definitely at least worth giving a try.
 
Written by Marzgurl
 G Gundam Returns in Manga Format
After almost 15 years, G Gundam will return as a manga series. The project will be directed and illustrated by many of the original G Gundam staff members. It will debut in Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Gundam Ace this August. G Gundam was the first in the Gundam series that did not take place in the Universal Century timeline and reimagined how mobile suits functioned and were piloted.
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Durarara and Darker than Black Season 2 Coming Stateside
Aniplex USA revealed some recent acquisitions through the trailers on their DVD releases of the first Gurren Lagann movie. Darker Than Black's second season is entitled Gemini of Meteor, and the trailer featured on the DVD runs at 2 minutes and 18 seconds. The 32-second promotional video for Durarara was also featured on the DVD. Both clips are subtitled in English and tease their American release. It is not mentioned on the disc when the release dates for these titles will be.
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Akira Film Gets New Writer
Screenwriter Gary Whitta will no longer be working on the Hollywood Live-Action Akira project as the movie's writer. Instead, a new writer named Albert Torres has been hired for the project. He is currently in pre-production with many other visual artists. The Akira film will cover the first three volumes of the manga, with a following movie to cover the next three. Producer Andrew Lazar says that the Akira project is one that Warner Bros. is very interested in.
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 Shueisha to Aid in the Creation of "Naruto's Forest"
Weekly Shonen Jump's publisher Shueisha is working in conjunction with the PresentTree company to create "Naruto's Forest". The campaign started to celebrate Naruto's 100 millionth book selling in April. The campaign will plant 7,610 trees on mountains in the Yamanashi prefecture. Fans can participate by entering a drawing to become a tree sponsor and receive a certificate pertaining to a particular tree planted. English-speaking fans can also participate in the contest, located here.
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Fashionable Jeans Promote One Piece
One Piece jeans have been made available for purchase in Japan through Cospa stores. "I'm Gonna Be The Pirate King!" is written across the backside of the jeans. The names of many popular One Piece characters are written across the back of the legs. On the right front pocket rests straw-hat-wearing skull-and-crossbones logo. The jeans are selling for ¥19,000 online at cospa.com.
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Tokyo's "Nonexistant Youth Bill" Rejected
A bill proposed to the Japanese government to restrict the publication of oversexualized underage youths was rejected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly. The bill would have restricted how underage youths are depicted
in media such as manga and anime and keep them out of "harmful" situations. The bill was also brought up this past March, however many manga artists stood in protest of the passing of the bill. The discussion of the bill was then pushed back to June. A revised edition of the bill will reach the Assembly this September.
Written by mupchubz
 Music soothes my soul and uplifts my spirit. It is magic and harmony intertwined to deliver tailored messages to those aching for comfort or company. It acts as an incentive to be silly and dance without a care for the world; it exists as a doorway into a different and exciting dimension where listeners can explore with their eardrums. As someone who is incapable of playing an instrument and singing on pitch, I duly admire individuals who can create good music. Artist T.M. Revolution is one such person who can render me speechless with his passion, his heart.
 Born on September 19, 1970 in Japan, Takanori Nishikawa lived a rather average life, even dabbling in kendo under the encouragement of his grandfather. His musical career wouldn’t begin until he was 20 when he joined a band called Luis-Mary as their vocalist, which disbanded only three years later. It was in 1996 that Nishikawa officially debuted as T.M. Revolution (Takanori Makes Revolution) with his first single Dokusai -monopolize-. His first album Makes Revolution was released shortly thereafter to thousands of fans.
During this time, Nishikawa’s music spread through the populace like wildfire and gained more fans. Released in November 1996 his single Heart of Sword ~Yoake Mae~ became the third ending song for anime Rurouni Kenshin. The single became a fan favorite, selling more than 350,000 copies and climaxing at #16 on the Oricon charts. In February 1997 he released his second album restoration LEVEL 3 which soared to #5 on the charts. Two of his most successful singles are High Pressure, which sold 800,000 copies and White Breath, which sold over 1 million copies and became Nishikawa’s first single to reach #1 on the Oricon chart.
 Nishikawa’s most successful album to this day, however, is called The Force which was released in March 1999. Hit singles from this album include Hot Limit, Thunderbird, Burnin’ X’mas, and Wild Rush. His music continues to be featured in anime, most notably in Gundam SEED Destiny and Soul Eater, and he went on to produce a band called Abingdon boys school. In 2001 he launched his own clothing line called DEFRÖCK, the name originating from a play on words between differential lock, a device used in a vehicle he likes, and rock (the Japanese don’t really differentiate the phonetics between “l” and “r”). His most recent public appearance was in 2008 at Comic Con where he was the guest of honor.
It’s very hard to fathom a life without music. No matter where or who you are, music is the thread that keeps you connected to humanity, a source of livelihood between hearts. Nishikawa’s passion lives in his music. Through every song and in every performance he staged, Nishikawa poured out his emotions. He was absolutely comfortable in his own skin and he conveyed his love for the aesthetics with his outfits (raunchy and, in most cases, gender bending cyber-retro). He exposed his soul and the world loved him for that.
リア充 (pronounced: ree-ah-joo-you): This term is an abbreviation for "リアル充実" (real jujitsu). Jujitsu means to be fulfilled, while riajuu is a person who is leading a desirable life with great job/school and awesome girl/boyfriend.
Example: リア充氏ね！(ria juu shi ne) meaning "die, ria juu!" *I just put this example because this seems to be the most common usage of this term, nothing against リア充 personally.
Naruto Shippuden ©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN All Rights Reserved., La Corda © Kure Yuki, Hakusensha, KOEI Co., Ltd./Corda Committee, Heroman ©B, P, W/HEROMAN PRODUCTION COMMITTEE/ TV TOKYO, Reborn © Akira Amano/Shueisha, TV Tokyo, REBORN! Production Committee, Durarara © Ryohgo Narita/ASCII MEDIA WORKS/Ikebukuro Dollars, MBS
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