Review by VU-er

Gut-wrenching lyrics, and a slow creep-up-on-you in the dark melody. A claw-your-way-back-to-the-light ballad. Bravo!

Kanjani8 won my heart months ago, but this DVD really sealed the deal. Everyone is great here. And the variety of songs is wonderful. (Although we all miss Uchi-kun.) Ryo's solo, "Ai Igai no Nandemo nai" was a complete surprise and totally blew me away! And Sankyoudai (Subaru, Yu & Shota), got a chance to shine with two of their songs, "Amechan" and "Purin". Also, OhYaMada (aka Kanjimi3), had a great song as well, "Ashita". The solos are wonderful, and I was pleasantly surprised by Shingo's "She's a Woman" number. This concert just pulls you in. The MC parts are hilarious and it's great how they always incorporate the Jrs into their concerts. These guys know how to have fun, they know how to entertain, and they look cool doing it. I'd suggest this for absolutely any fan of Japanese music.

Honestly, I really couldn't recommend this single enough. First off, the Yellow Eito Ranger bracelet is awesome!! Kanfu Fighting is an awesome song that just makes you smile. Propeller, I think, should've been released as a single as well because it rocks! It's so darn catchy and genki! (Especially because it showcases Ryo's voice.) The karaoke version of Kanfu Fighting is entertaining, as always, and I really really can't express how great this single is!

The entire H!P crew is here for this All for One & One for All Single, and it truly couldn't be any better. Both the song and karaoke versions are great. The other songs are fantastic as well, with unique combinations of your favorite various H!P members. A can't miss for any true H!P fan!

This certainly isn't what you'd expect from a Musume sub-group, but it's definitely worth it. With it's slightly sensual lyrics and catchy tune, it's a must-buy for any Morning Musume or Otome Gumi fan! You'll be happy to find that will less members, some of the lesser-heard-from have more lines. The accompanying song is a Otome Gumi version of Say Yeah! Motto Miracle Night, which is pleasing as well.

With a varying and excellent combination of an assortment of songs, it's hard to go wrong here. While Asian Kung Fu Generation and Flow's songs and videoes are funny, Sowelu and Rythem are mellow ballads that help you relax. Soul'd Out and Sambomaster are entertaining, as always, and each and every song here certainly earned its place. A good buy for anyone interested in what's "in" in modern Japanese music.

And when I say "teen movie", I mean, of course, without the sex. Chekeraccho is a very funny and strangely engaging yet light-hearted movie that had me hooked from the beginning. Ichihara and Inoue's chemistry is apparent from the start and the entire ensemble of actors is truly talented. Konshiki was a very welcomed addition, and really took the icing on the cake. A great movie for anyone who's in for a laugh, anyone who's ever experienced unrequited love, anyone who's ever wanted to start a band, and, most of all, anyone who's ever been kicked into the Sea of Japan.

Another masterpiece from Iwai Shunji. Ichihara Hayato's portrayal of Hosumi Yuichi is flawless, and a very big difference from his other characters in Chekeraccho! and Water Boys 2. Lord, can this boy act! This movie is phenomenal, and it rings true in so many ways. Lily Chou Chou's music is used as escapism here, as Yuichi deals with the trials of being a teenager. The camera work is astounding here, and although this revolves around teens, it collides with some very adult subjects. You can really feel for Yuichi here, and understand his character, yet it feels that he isn't the protagonist. As the reviewer before me said, I really believe that Lily is the protagonist in this movie. She's the silver lining that the boys here are looking for. A wonderful movie, you can't miss it!

For any fan of the anime or manga, this is definitely a must-have. This first season of Hana Yori Dango consists of 9 episodes on 5 DVDs. The acting here is wonderful. Inoue Mao, who plays the spunky Tsukushi Makino, actually won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in this show. Also, Matsumoto Jun, who plays Doumyouji Tsukasa, won an award for Best Supporting Actor. Needless to say, the acting is superb. This moves at a faster pace than the manga and anime, but nothing has been lost. I can NOT express how well Inoue Mao portrays Tsukushi's character. Full of comedy, tension, excitment, and a bit of romance, this show has it all!

Ah, good ol' Musume in their Golden Years. With songs like Love Machine, Happy Sumemr Wedding, Koi no Dance Site and Morning Coffee, it's hard to go wrong. A must-have, that's for sure!

With the debut songs of generations 5 and 6, Best! Morning Musume 2 is definitely a keeper, especially for the collectors out there. The songs are varied, some kiddish while others mature, and the album overall is fabulous! The blend of Old School Musume and the new is well done.

An amazing album here, but unfortunately, it could have been better. The 'sono toori' remix of chokkan 2 was a little disappointing compared to the original version, but songs like Rainbow Pink, Iroppoi Jirettai, Osaka Koi no Uta, and The Manpower certainly made up for it. The first album to feature the one and only 7th gen member, Kusumi Koharu!

Gotta say, there were some pictures in here that were better than others. Each month features a twosome of your favorite Bleach characters, including Hitsugaya & Hinamori, Soi Fon & Yoruichi, and Ichigo & Rukia. Definitely a must-have for Bleach fans.

Masakazu Morita as Ichigo has always been great, and these songs here just prove it. 'From Tattoos on the Sky' to his 'Memories in the Rain' duet with Rukia's seiyuu, Fumiko Orikasa, all three songs were well done and very enjoyable.

First off, let me say, Kentaro Ito is certainly no Masakazu Morita, but better than many. His duet with Fumiko Orikasa (Rukia) was excellent, and if you know what the lyrics, even touching.

Surprisingly, the voice of Ishida can sing pretty well. His voice here is unique, but much appreciated and quite different from the other Bleach Beat Collection albums. Any collector of Bleach things should be sure to get this!

A very fun CD here. Kon and Hanatarou's combined song was upbeat and fun, while each of their solo songs can brighten any mood.

Personally, I think that they gave Ichimaru the BEST songs. While 'sekai wa sude ni azamuki ni ue ni' is positively bone-chilling, especially if you know the English words, his duet with Matsumoto's seiyuu is wonderful on a whole different level. 'Hyouri' is intersting as well, but slow, and somehow. . . touching?

Ah, the wonderful Masakazu Morita does another album. Heaven. :) This time, he's with his ol' buddy Zangetsu, whose voice is an aquired taste, but the songs are riveting and wonderful nonetheless. Highly recommended to those who have already purchased the other Beat Collection CDs.

A Korean band that can pull off good J-Rock. Trax is one of the only bands I know of that can do it. While it's sad that Rose is no longer with them, they certainly left behind a great third single. 'Blaze Away' is wonderful, and the lyrics are well thought-out and deep.