Review by Yanni Migias

My first experience with Ai Otsuka, I thought that a live concert would be a better way to see the talents of an artist. I was not disappointed. Ai appears to be quite talented both vocally and musically, I was very impressed to see her play the piano herself. Though I feel the stage show lacked a little in sparkle, the songs seem well constructed and solid, and her ability to relay emotion is also very good. I highly recommend Ai Otsuka if you wish to explore more beautifully crafted Japanese Artists.

Having not heard much of Ai, other then a few singles and a few PV's I thought I would get this DVD to see what she is like.. and I'm quite impressed. Though I feel the production was a little letdown, the general proformance and quality is just fine. Ai does have a lot of natural talent, and for someone so small, she sure has a lot of energy and passion for her music. I was particularly pleased to see her play the piano, its nice to see an artist extend beyond just the dace and singing.. Very good DVD, and will look at getting more of Ai's DVDs.

I bought this CD to explore what Japan has to offer, over and above the usual artists that get top exposure, like Utada, Koda, Ai, etc.. and I have to admit, I'm very impressed. If your looking for a good entry point to what Jpop has to offer, then I recomend this CD. Very easy to listen to, and very good.

Friends have advised me to avoid Koda, as she's so commercial... but honestly, have you heard this CD ? 18 tracks, yes 18 tracks on the audio CD!!! Wow I am blown away. This is one of the best produced, power packed and well arranged CD's I have heard in a very long time. I am now a very interested to see what else the dynamic songbird is going to deliver. The DVDs that come with it are very good, well, the PV Dvds.. the little 50minute movie is somewhat lame but hey, who cares :) Enjoy.

Oh My God! Now, I'm not a man to take things to heart.. but have you seen this MOST AMAZING CONCERT ? WOOHO!!! :) Ok, ok, After many years... all the hype, all the media, all the interviews and PVs.... Utada has really really finally come of age. Not just as a person, but as a musician, a guide into the world that is her creativity and life. And what do we get after UT 2006 ? Easy, Look, a new Single due out in Feb 07 :)

Quite impressed with the collection. Though not a great fan of her style, i bought the collection as a introduction to her and was delightfully impressed with what i heard. It has pride of place in my CD collection while im driving.. YAY.

Very impressed with the 4th collection. Though I understand its market is Japan, it would still be nice if they included english sub-titles. Very well presented and beautifully encased. CDjapan always do a great job :)

Ha, very very adorable track by Hikki, played it to my 3 year old nephew and he loved it.. (with the video)... :) YAY

Hey, Finally i got Exodus, and have been listening to it all day, and I have to admit, its really really good. Keeping in mind it's her first proper attempt at touching the english speaking market (there was cubic u), and taking into account the freedom of expression english can offer an artist, I am really imressed. It's a shame DefJam didnt do more to promote it, but hey, cant win them all. Anyways, looking forward to the DVD of her latest 2006 Concerts. Take care. :)

WOW It arrived this morning, and i put it into my cdplayer in the Car, and listend to it all day!! It's just as i thought, AWSOME. Hikki really has become a more mature and talanted musician and writer. I am imporessed with the interlinking of some songs, the solom blues sounds and RnB sounds. Some disco-ish styles, but all in all, a great Cd and its so nice to have a cd after so long. The cd is perfect and comes with a very big Glossy book. which is awsome. also. I did wish there would be a few tracks in english or even something in the book. but no. I hope her Convert DVD for this year will contain ENGLISH subtitles.. that would really be great for her over seas fans. YAY.

I've had a long time love for the power of Casiopea, since fist finding out about them from a friend in who went to Japan in 1985, and listening to old EPs from my Japanese flatmate in 1988, I have had nothing but respect for the greatest band alive. And now, to see them with T-Sq, WOW and what a concert!! Being a musician myself, and most of my extended family also, we often watch the double DVD collection to help inspire us. Oneday, I might be lucky enough to come to Japan and see them live As i missed them when they were on tour in the 80's and came to Austraila. This is a totally outstanding DVD.. with Synchronized DNA, its awsome. Enjoy. Yanni

Very good and solid Casiopea, worth collecting for the fans of the best band in the world :) Solid swings and entertaining footage. Shame there isnt english subtitles for the interviews, but otherwise a great dvd to add. :) Yanni

Very worthwhile Hikki First concert.. displaying her link with HipHop and R&B. Worth adding to the collection. Good music from an up and coming entertainer. Yanni.

Well, an interesting DVD... Basicly someone videod a internet broadcast Hikki did, in all its good, but would have been nicer if it had more music.. there are only a minor handfull of tracks at the end of the disc, but worthwhile for the Hikki fans. Id recomend it, but dont excpect anything fantastic. Still good though, Hikki is still awsome :)

My second DVD concert of Hikki, and WOW was I impressed, with talanted musicians and lovely stagework, Hikki takes us on a journy of her latest works and some from her past, teaching us that she has come a long way as an artist, and that she has a lifetime of music still left to offer. I truly recomend this DVD, and also the upcoming Ultra Blue CD and hopefully the DVD of her concerts this year (2006). I'm sure you will enjoy this. :) Yanni

YES! At long last, a new CD from Hikki. And I have no doubt, it would have been worth the wait. I have heard samples of some of the tracks and you will not be disapointed at all! Her new more brave direction is a blessing, showing yet again her wealth of musical ability and talant for such a young lady. She is truly gifted and I hope we get to see a concert DVD soon of her 2006 tour, as alas not everyone can fly to Japan to see her live. YAY :) Yanni

After much struggle... I found a copy in America, and its great, to hear the development of the Hikki style is most impressive..., but to find the earlyer cubuc u with her father and mother.. now that would be wonderfull :).. this is a great CD for Hikki fans that have even a base understanding of music and development. YAY. :)