Review by Charlie Rupert Xu
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Tsubasa Chronicle Vol.1AnimationGood start but...
I'm sure we all waited in high anticipation at the coming of this anime. Now that it's here, would it manage to enter the realms of the likes of Cardcaptor Sakura and Chobits? Erm, not quite. The whole thing starts off more or less on track and the first and first-half of the second episode are heart racing pieces of animation. But things being to get weird post-transportation to the Hanshin Republic when they end up in the middle of the Kudan gang fight rather than in the house of Mr and Mrs Arisugawa which is where they are suppose to be manga-wise! Unfortunately this won't be the last time we experience such deviation as will be seen in later installments... The highlight has to be the music by the maestro that is Kajiura and her 4 OSTs to the series are worth getting in themselves.
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Tsubasa Chronicle Second Series Vol.7AnimationOh dear...
The reason for the Tsubasa anime's ultimate failure is because someone thought it would be a good idea to throw the manga plot out of the window and make it up as he or she went along. And this is displayed in all its hideous and unfortunate glory in the (thankfully) last outing of the anime series (and one can easily guess why). Totally removed of aim and faithfulness to CLAMP's original work, the last few eps scream out a "let's call it a day" call of desperation. It is so bad it is almost cringeworthy to watch and one wonders who let such bad error of judgement slip pass the producer's shredder unquestioned. Indeed, it could have been a lot worse. At least you get the box to house the DVDs (to protect it from the dust of the attic). But one should not despair, for the OVA which was created after this stuck to the manga and saved the anime form, albeit in a different format and production company entirely. There is a God after all.
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CloverAnimationShort but sweet
This is probably one of the most ev!l things that CLAMP can do to you. They commission an anime of one of your favourite mangas and then they make it soooo bloody short that you are screaming out for more! But at a mere 1500Y, you cannot ask for more. Indeed, I live in hope that they will finish the manga and create a truly special (and full length) anime to support it.
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xxxHOLiC Vol.1AnimationBetter than the Tsuabasa anime
The xxxHOLiC anime is much better than the disaster that was Tsubasa. The story and visuals are stunning and well thought out. The series gets better as the episodes go by. However, my one main gripe is that the whole anime excludes the events of Tsubasa and if you have read both mangas, you know that they get more intertwined at the later stages. It is a shame because the overlaps are one of the most important plot feature in both serials. In series two, this is more apparent with huge gaps left untied. Also, there are 'filler episodes' which add nothing to the whole plot. One wonders how, if a series three comes out, they are ever going to conclude as I bet there will be a big inter-Tsubasa-holic finish... I will give this a 4.5 star rating.
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Honey Honey feat. Kozue AyuseSEAMOA wonderful ending theme
I must admit that I had not known what to expect from this and I was pleasantly surprised how good and catchy this song was! It is a sort of pop-rap in genre (and I am the sort of ethnomusicologist that thinks rap only works in English and that rap in any other language is an abomination). Indeed, I was humming it for days once I listened to it. Great single that includes a live version and the de rigueur instrumental.
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ignitedT.M.RevolutionEnergetic
I have never watched Gundam before, but you do not need to to enjoy this little gem. TMRevo has a highly energetic style of music (not to the point of being labelled as 'dance' thankfully) and this is a highly fiery single. This single will get your heart racing and the vocal is just superb.
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Rie fuRie fuRie Fu, that's who.
Rie Fu has thankfully learnt the English language before attempting to drizzle English words into her lyrics (a bane of 99.9% of J-pop songs that have 'English words' in them). Armed with this, she now can sing effortlessly bewteen Japanese and English with correct pronunciation and grammar and does this so well that you hardly notice the switch. She is probably the only artist I know who can pull this feat off and I am very pleased that she has decided to do this. The results are amazing and the songs are well grounded with meaning instead of a string of utter non-sense (albeit for humour value). Thank you Miss Fu, you have transcended.
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FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN Original SoundtrackGame MusicAmazing!
This is the only FF OST I have bought and I am not disappointed at all! Clearly, a great deal of thought has been put into the whol scheme of the album and the two CDs are packed with great music and the experience had from listening to them is orgasmic. I particularly love the choral tracks and the surprisingly successful 'rock-orchestra' number which shows off Uematsu's genius as a composer. Surely, he deserves to be given a DMus (Doctor of Music) at some ancient Japanese university for this work alone.
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CARDCAPTOR SAKURA CHARACTER SONGBOOKAnimationSweet!
The character songbook contains songs of most of the main characters of the anime. Most are recycled from the drama CD 'singles' (all OOP) but some like the Meiling and Mizuki-sensei ones are new. it also contains illustrated cards with the lyrics on them. Clearly, this is a very sweet album and very relaxing to listen to. A must for any CCS fan. Grab it before it goes OOP like most of the CCS CDs have already.
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CARDCAPTOR SAKURA Original drama album "Sweet valentine stories"AnimationSweet!
This album contains a few short drama tracks which are very sweet in themselves and enjoyable to listen to (especially the Meiling one!) The highlight is the group song, 'Get Your Love', showcasing the singing of the schoolgirls of Tomoeda. It also includes two cards illustrated by CLAMP. The illustration at the back of the case is so cute (mini-nuigurumi Syaoran, etc)!
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CARDCAPTOR SAKURAAnimationA wonderful collection
The last of the CCS albums, this collects together all the theme songs that make CCS good. With almost all CCS CDs selling out, this is a good chance to get to listen to the full set of themes on a summy afternoon. It will be a nostalgic and enjoyable listening and you will keep this in your heart for always.
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Tsubasa Chronicle - Original Soundtrack - Future Soundscape I [Regular Edition]Animation SoundtrackThe only good thing about the anime...
Surely, this is the best thing that the anime has produced. Kajiura knows how to put together a catchy tune and her choral work is top notch. You get transported with the music into the CLAMPian world and it is almost tear-jerkingly exquisite in many a way. Extremely lyrical and mesmurising with a high enjoyment factor. This OST is a piece of art in itself and the whole album is worth more than the 7 DVDs in weight of brilliance and exceptional quality.
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"Tsubasa Chronicle" Drama & Character Song Album: Ohkyu no Machine Chapter.1 - Suijo Toshi CoralAnimationKurogane, singing?!
I have mixed feelings about this drama CD. On the one hand the drama side is rather nice (albeit not knowing Japanese myself finding it difficult to follow but that's a problem on my part), on the other hand, the thought of Kurogane singing is a highly amusing prospect in itself! Clearly, his song is given a nod in one of the Horitsuba Gakuen omake manga (where all Tsu-holic characters are superimposed into a fantasy school life). Prepare to giggle.
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Tsubasa Chronicle Drama & Character Song Album: Ohkyu no Machine Chapter.3 Ienai SerifuAnimationSyaoran and Sakura duet, oooooo!
Now, the really good thing about this drama CD is the Syaoran-Sakura duet of 'Yume no Tsubasa' (I have yet to see this being done at conventions, yet)! Of course, you'll have to get pass the Mokona single first which brings memories of the Magic Knight Rayearth Mokona Extra-single!
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NHK Animation Tsubasa Chronicle Best Vocal CollectionAnimationFun, fun, fun, for everyone!
This collection of drama songs and other themes is a nice album in itself. Yes, you cannot help but laugh at the fact of Kurogane... singing! And Fai's just as amusing to listen to! Clearly, not a serious album of music but it is very enjoyable to listen to. The highlight has to be FictionJunction KAORI's 'Dreamscape' which is a mind-blowing piece of music in itself and worth getting the album just to listen to that! This is also supported by the FJ KEIKO 'Kaze no machi he' and other Kajiura songs.
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Catch You,Catch MeGUMICatch it if you can!
I've heard some liken CYCM to a monkey on a violin, but it is so easy to dismiss it as bubblegum pop. There is something good about it in that it is incredibly catchy and you will be challenged to sing that very fast tongue-twisty part in the chorus. However, the 'Hitori-jime' song is a more comfortable and pleasing affair. If you've got CCS OST I then there's no need to have this but only for the instrumentals. Besides, with much of the CCS stuff going OOP, it's best to grab a bargain to add to your collection.
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Tobira o aketeANZAOpen the CD case
Anza (of Sailor Moon the musical fame) is a voice to be reckoned with in this rather emotional and weighty song. Yes it sounds dated but the lyrics just glide across the room in utmost satisfaction. OOP but can be found in various CLAMP theme collections.
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15th Anniversary CD & DVD Box Clampazar [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]AnimationPacked full of goodness
This is probably the crowning glory of CLAMP's 15 years in office. The collection of mostly theme songs will send you to CLAMP heaven. Yes, most of them are recycled from OSTs that you can get, but it also contains rarer gems. It is OOP, but if you can get your hands on it second hand, you should not skip the chance!
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Tsubasa Chronicle - Original Soundtrack - Future Soundscape I [Limited Edition of 10,000 Copies]Animation SoundtrackBest thing in spite of anime
Surely, this is the best thing that the anime has produced. Kajiura knows how to put together a catchy tune and her choral work is top notch. You get transported with the music into the CLAMPian world and it is almost tear-jerkingly exquisite in many a way. Extremely lyrical and mesmurising with a high enjoyment factor. This OST is a piece of art in itself and the whole album is worth more than the 7 DVDs in weight of brilliance and exceptional quality.
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TV Anime Tsubasa Revelations Intro Theme: synchronicityYui MakinoKajiura and Makino at their best
Kajiura's music is probably what is the only best thing about the Tsubasa animes (the OVAs are not in the same bottom league as the anime, thankfully). You get what you expect from her music; freshing, exciting and mesmurising. Her choral work is one of her best attributes and she uses them well here. Makino holds her own with a wonderful vocal and the whole mix is just breathtaking. Certainly you will not be disappointed. To top it all off, you have Makino's piano version of Amurita showing that even without Kajiura she can still render an independant piece to such a high quality.