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I'm grateful my suggestion inspired this episode. I commented because of the considerable fuss. Seiyuu fans made their discontent, unfortunately creating a negative image. The jp UtaPri fans complaints are absurd; they knew what to expect when purchasing tickets. If they preferred something different, there you have 2D performance, it's an option. These "fans" exemplify a misunderstanding of a seiyuu's role if they want to them to become the characters. Your video helped me understand the current performance expectations. They demand more than is reasonable, treating some seiyuu like idols. This has become a job requirement, along with the increased investment in performances. Seiyuu fan culture needs clarification. Supporting veteran seiyuu and wanting to see their performances are valid, but this doesn't necessitate treating them like mainstream showbiz artists. I didn't appreciate the seiyuu fandom of the 2010s, but things were undoubtedly different, as you mentioned. This leads to the perception that utaite or other artists are stealing seiyuu jobs. Your explanation that seiyuu come from diverse backgrounds and now perform beyond voice acting significantly weakens this argument. Since I omitted the context earlier due to the initial fuss, I'll add it now. A popular utaite from a well-known group received a minor role in an otome game. Later, during a major game announcement, he was cast as a main love interest. Opinions are divided. His fans support him, while others feel it's unfair that a voice actor, even a newcomer, wasn't chosen. My understanding about all the comments is that hiring him might attract more attention to the game, given popularity. Your conclusion is clear: if the performer can convey emotions and bring the character to life, it's not a major issue. Considering the evolving nature of seiyuu work, which now encompasses tv, stage performances, drama, and more. The industry is changing. The game hasn't been released yet. Given the context, his performance might cause a reaction depending his skills. Hiring a famous utaite might be a strategic promotional move. The otome game industry is also evolving. Apologies for the lengthy comment, but I enjoyed this video. If we can agree about some fundamental topic, maybe things can be better I enjoy live performances, even if not flashy; if the seiyuu conveys passion, including their roles in games and anime, then, what more could I ask for? My conclusion would be: "If you dislike something, ignore it; if you don't wish to support it, leave and don't spoil the fun for others." Haha

This may be a problem of some people not wanting to separate the character from the voice actor, so doesn't feel right for them that the character is "represented" by someone much older... It feels crazy to me, but I guess it's becoming more and more common.

anyone know where to listen to the full song?? i've been looking for ages now and i can't find it :(

Thanks for these updates! Just found your channel (the thumbnail of para live got me lol 😂) and I love the idea that you promote more music that I might not be aware of so subscribed and can’t wait to see what else you’ll put out 🥹

Now I know why my sister was worried about me using Character AI to talk to Lelouch.

My favorite Sir Vanity song is Hero thanks to their contract to do all the theme songs for every Tokyo Revengers stage play haha

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(Sorry for my poor english, I'm brazilian! ^^) My interpretation of this song was different, but I think this prove how Soma's songs can be seen for different angles. ^^ I really didn't see the "death and reborn" like you said, but I think that is a very interesting way to interpret this song too! For me "Isana" was more like a "salvation", but not like something herotic or romantic. After listen this song a lot of times, I realized that he links "love" with a flower in bloom when he says "you are in bloom あいしてるってことだよ". For me, this part links with the line before (きみはそのままでいいよ - you are fine just the way you are) showing that's you can be yourself and "bloom" at your pace. This song also made me think about what the meaning of rain (that I think almost people see the rain as a "bad thing", but for him in this song is something good because thats what make flowers bloom). And, another thing I thought was about "breathe". There's a lyrics that he says "種は今芽吹いて　ほら呼吸をはじめた" (The seed has now sprouted and begun to breathe.), and this part for me also reforced the point that the rain make the flowers bloom and breathe, as we need our "rain" (like sad experiences) and time to breathe and "bloom" like them. ^^ Anyway, thank you for your review! Isana is my favorite Soma's song ever and I'm not used to see people outside japan talking about his song like this, so I'm very happy to get here!

Hi Vanessa-san! His tracks in the B and Limited Edition releases were uploaded here in TH-cam yesterday. I hope with those, you can finish your review of his Kaleidoscope single. Thanks! 😊

Seems like you had an interview-watching spree recently. 🤔 I just wanted to say that these "veteran insights" episodes lately have been really interesting.

Thanks for the mention ☺ I must admit that Fictions surprised me a lot. We found some “unexpected sounds”, and as you say, I feel like some of the songs sound better separately than together, mostly in the middle of the album. My favorite song is Ventura, I felt like time stopped the first time I heard that scream. I also saw on Twitter that someone mentioned being influenced by singer Natalia Imbruglia (look up Wrong Impression). And unsurprisingly, Sway is my second favorite. After that, ballads. Ame no Niwa is magical vocally. Nuctiluca, speechless 🥰 Also, I didn't expect Soma to make me want to dance to this album, (Fake)Flowers is so brilliant 🤩 mm has a charm that's hard to like, but his voice is so wonderful. And you make an interesting point about "Riot!" (and Summerholic!) 🤔 I've been thinking that, maybe, Soma created these songs mainly to play them in lives. I mean, I think they're fun, but I don't listen to them that often.

0:41 no.1 reason: Hiraeth 3:58 no.2 reason: Noctiluca 5:57 no.3 reason: Ame on niwa 9:47 no.4 reason Shoegaze is back (Sway) 11:50 no.5 reason Hammer girl 13:45 no.6 reason saito's vocal 17:31 no.7 reason (Fake) flower Honestly first time listen to his full album for me it's might not right but when I used to it and start listen again from the start I can feel his story telling and understand it also this album is "REALLY" fit their concept (opinion form me who doesn't know the lyrics "FEELING" only) Open: Hammer girl is look like about we fighting somethings this we don't know what it is and where is it even we might lose but we gonna do it anyway follow with Sway honestly I can't find connected for Hammer girl but I feel like in the maze I can't escape the voice is so soft leading me out , out of the fantasy mind and realized next one hiraeth it's really brings old memories (from mv too) like I realized that I really grow up I don't this or that things anymore ,once I have done it,once I have seen it ,once we were together. I feel sad but also feel so happy I wish I can be forever that time Noctiluca for me that it's a letter to someone that might not be here again anymore wish to see you whatever happen in this case we might be do somethings wrong to them but pls let we see them again kyohansa is really can't explain but this song start with RPG sound is look like we lost in the game now and it's also a maze and we just what to be the only hope for the player the can rely on even we are a villan ( only hope for the player the can rely on so that mean we won't lonely) here most energy in this album Riot if we refer from kyohansa in my feeling mean we're still in RPG game and we adventure with them (that it) mm is this like somethings is going wrong from Riot look like we has be left behind we asking from even it's a lie we gladly accept it in the end look like we know that won't happpen and yeah we still wait come to the best song of this album Ame on niwa he all alone now we feel so sad (refer our tears as rain) but whlie we seeking in sadness flower are growing (meaning there is something that beuatiful in this world) and yet find it and hope to see it with them follow with lalala sound it remind me of lullaby yeah I think we can't getting to reality now puppet mood is like the dream we show our trueself to everyone by using our puppet to show them and force them to celebrate for us (Fake)flower yeah definitely dream and it really too beuatiful Ventura is so good and the best choice for ending of album like it reveal that we know the true all the times just lie and dream it

Ame no Niwa is 100% my favorite...I heard it while i was just randomly listening and....it's such a beautiful song.

I loved the video and your analysis of the album. Whenever Soma Saito releases new music there is always a lot of searching to be done because his lyrics hide millions of messages and that is something I will always admire that about him as a composer and artist. Thank you for taking the time to make such a well-done content as this analysis and presenting it to us 💜 P.S: I also love that Soma has chosen Hiraeth as the title track of the album because, just like you in Portuguese, here in Galicia we have the word ‘morriña’ to designate the same concept and it's beautiful that so few languages have a name to describe such a beautiful feeling.

Not really a review but, at the same, a brief snippet of my thoughts about "Fictions" right after reviewing it/listening to it for the first time 😁 This is a different album - in more ways than one - that is well worth checking out! I'm not going to spoil it for those of you who haven't listened to it, but I hope this video gets excited to check it out!

Can't wait for your lengthy review for this album ❤

it's still amazing to this day!💕

Wow!!!! Thank you for this! Much love for Saito Soma, congrats on the new single 🎉

Great job with the video! Very interesting and well structured! Also, I like a lot the edition! 😊 It's kinda nerdy, but I always look forward to your music reviews because I can notice there's a uniqueness in Soma's music but since I do not have much musical knowledge I can't identify clearly what it is, your analysis makes much easier to understand that part and makes me find his music even more fascinating! And I'm glad you pointed out the theme of nature and flowers in his releases! Aesthetically and liricly it's a thing that I feel very drawn to, and that is constantly present in his music (also, the sea/sea creatures is other of his constant themes! Very fascinating too!) I became a fan of Soma since 2015 and I was happy when he announced his artist's debut because I liked his singing but I had NO IDEA how talented as a singer-songwritter he would become, I'm so happy I could witnesses such growth and blooming from an artist as interesting as him 🥺 I'm so looking forward to Fictions! 🤧💖

I became a fan of Soma Saito because of his music, although I already knew some of his work as a seiyuu. I started listening to Soma's music a little before he released the "Yin/Yang" EP, so I always say that "mirrors" somehow saved me. But before that, I connected very easily with some songs from the album "in bloom", Palette and Isana being some of my favorites (usually listen to rock/alternative music, but I started listening to shoegaze because of Soma and I love it). Also, I like to read a lot, and I've really taken it upon myself to look for books and stories related to his songs (no problem, I love sci-fi and thrillers, even classics). Lately, I can't help but think that the album “Fictions” is related to the book by J. L. Borges, that idea has some logic (?) because after reading it a bit, I know that there are some (general) themes in common.

Soma was the one that got me into seiyuu music (or realized some seiyuus were singers too) and he set the bar so high plus as a main rock listener he has being a treat as well And his and Yuuma Uchida's songs are the ones I connect emotionally the most

Oh what a treat 🥰thank you !! I already love this video!!

I love his song and storytelling sm .His music for me is full of memories for me especially in Bloom! album. I used to listen his music on the bus when I go to camp. Now I can feel my camp memories every time , and I can't complete if I didn't listen his. And I really love your blog about his music but nowaday I don't enter to your blog. but lucky I found solution I just have to change my vpn. I hope to read , waiting for Fictions review! English isn't my mother language so it maybe hand to read. love u

With Soma Saito's 3rd album "Fictions" just around the corner, I finally created the deep dive video I was saying for years that I would create! 😁 I hope you enjoy it and are looking forward to his new CD!

Yesss a lot of amazing releases, I was waiting for this Maybe digging in Gray Sheep franchise 👀 some song are already my favorites Shunichi's LOG is so interesting, a lot of anisong that are my favorites

Yass, the month when I have an excuse to ramble about Tsukipro and it's not forced! (I just realized I wrote "Rival" -which is still Soara song, but... - instead of "Friend" in my submission, I deserve to have my fan card revoked lol. Ironically, Friend is also the first song of Soara that made me pay closer attention to them, bc I at frst didn't click with their theme of Youthful High school band, and only this slightly more nostalgic take on it made me think it's kind of nice, after all. So to have it mistaken here... oh well.) Anyway, maybe TMI but I also didn't notice in the description that, once you purchase a CD, you also get two random character cards with the character's comment on the back and that's apparently how I was meant to come into possession of my first 2D merch for Tsukipro (ironically, I got merch for their stages first lol). Anyway, yes, pls listen to the song collection, it's awesome (I still can't believe it's seven years old songs-), and to be honest, even if they use the collection to extend the time to come up with something new bc it flopped a little (hopefully not, but considering the creator of the whole Tsukipro world and all the units left Movic this year, I can imagine they need to do some reorganizing...), we still have second season of anime to get a collection from (and some of those songs are also insanely good, so. I might actually be hoping for the second Song Collection album announcement lol). Not to mention, just today they released the Previews for the Anokoro Unit Song for Quell and it promises a healthy dose of nostalgia as well- Okay, I'm shutting up- or not because I love that you choose Ouka Ranman as the proposition lol. I loved it also because it was a starter, the very first ending we've heard in the series and MAN did it not disappoint! It is Solids, but in a way it was a perfect song for the whole premise of the anime (even if I 100% agree objectively it's not a *good* anime lol). I AM SORRY FOR THE LENGTH OF THAT SUGGESTION (And this comment, but alas, that's me and Tsukipro, it was bound to happen), but Tsukitachi no Memoria was REALLY a nice surprise and Ai wo Inorou was something I listened on loop until Rikka's Be Witch dropped, so. I felt the urge to ramble about those SOMEWHERE and you're just the poor victim (now you know how it feels when I shove Tsukipro at people, except you know them as well so - hopefully - it's less annoying lol) Contrail suggested! Since it's already out I can say it is a VERY nice album and I totally understand why Moyu was looking forward to it (I did not realize it was dropping in August lmao). The visual image of Lolou*di at Karaoke booth IS awkward, most definitely😂. That being said, I saw Genshin Impact creating whole orchestral concerts for their OSTs, so an orchestral concert based on Lolou*di instrumentals... sounds like something that could one day happen. The international livestream selection of regions to stream the event in is so baffling because they name like 90% of Europe and then they go "as for the rest, deal with it" and Im like "??? why" (I'm the one lucky to live in a country where streaming is made available, but still). For a franchise with a very good relationship with their international fanbase, it IS a baffling choice. Thanks for the episode, it was fun to watch (and ramble)!

Okay, beware of the wall of text and free HanaDoll spoilers because I have A LOT of thoughts on Choose, as someone who stayed for the music but started by getting interested in the premise. As always, everybody say thank you Hanadoll wiki admins, they're insane people for getting all those things described in a way that's less triggering than in the actual dramas (TakeP alone probably had a goal of traumatizing as many people as possible with his no-feelings-to-pretty-much-emotional-breakdown Rui, but Daiking portraying Toki's backstory (and some other stuff happening to him) in Nothing is something I recommend to anybody wanting to get a crash course in amazing Hurt No Comfort performance and/or having their mental health challenged-) I think CHOOSE might feel underwhelming because Hama-san tried to create two CDs in one - the one that sounds like pre-hiatus intermission (with a small personal touch of Ageha in Bioagent) for the people who only follow LLD for the music and have as close to "In-universe" fan perspective, those who will see the hiatus announcement and say "huh" and the second album, for those who listened to the drama tracks that mostly depict how effed up the behind the scenes of HanaDoll is and what choice LLD actually ended up making, who after seeing the hiatus announcement would say "OUCH". However, because of that, it might have sounded more generic than we're used to from Lolou*di. For example, because I listened to the songs knowing the content of the drama tracks, they DID sound to me like a farewell, but of the Lolou*di the characters (who will see us in the Eden when WE get there, since they are pretty much there, sccording to the final drama track), not the Lolou*di the concept (another beloved word for the Hanadoll story writers, now that I think about it...). I feel the emotional impact made me look at them through rose-colored glasses (that's not something I thought I'd write about this album like, ever. Considering the plot...). I also loved how, with Bioagent being Ageha's more or less confession song of his feelings about his path, Above the Sky and Dream Eden are more or less depiction of what said path with Lolou*Di was to Rui and Toki - a struggle to find what's lacking, a yearning for something unobtainable, above the sky so to speak, to Rui and a path to a place of belonging, for better or worse, for Toki. (I do love how they came back to the theme of "dream" for it, too, although if I remember correctly, this is also concept used for Kaoru, and now I am scared for life to listen to MORE lol). In-story wise, it's also an album where Amagiri stops letting Ageha do whatever he wishes to do with Lolou*di or even implies giving up on them as a failure to creating "perfect" idols (okay, iirc it was the talk they had in the album before, but still), so Hama-san could have taken that into consideration by choosing the more underwhelming composition with minimal orchestral instrumentalization to reflect lack of backing for Ageha's out-of-this world demands...though obviously, I'm inputting too much story context into what's supposedly a musical analysis lol. "We just need to wait for a new chapter. Hopefully, it's a good one" - that's some famous last words in HanaDoll fandom- VERSUS mentioned! Fun fact! The original version of the song is actually stage theme sung by the stage actors, but the seiyuu version got an upgraded instrumental and at least a few tricks added to the vocal performance compared to its stage version. (ah yes, the movie is based on the Stage plot, I believe Rabbit's Kingdom is 5th stage?) Also, I feel we all were thinking of Growth with Tsukitachi no Memoria (then again, that's Johnsan for you). Also, for some reason it felt like they went "okay, we have at least two incredible high-note hitters, gotta use that to maximum" and that's how you can hear Rui and Yoru cover three-fourth of high notes lol. But yeah 50:25 *flashback to trying to get any sustainable results when looking for info on Growth back when getting into Tsukipro in 2019* Yeah, some names are harder to look up than other, aren't they 😅. Thanks for the fun(?) episode! (And getting traumatized with the LLD story for the sake of better understanding of their music)

And it is finally here!! The June 2024 episode of MONTHLY REVIEW is here (July and August's episodes are coming in the next couple of weeks!) 😁 Thanks to everyone who participated in this episode! Which were your favorite CDs in June?

Both? Both is good. As much as I think Given's recasting was unnecessary, I really like Shogo Yano's Mafuyu, especially music-wise, I think his rawer way of singing fits the character better. On the other hand, I prefer Soma Saito's Mafuyu in the voice acting side (also combined with Furukawa as the other main character? Literally a dream lineup). So yeah, I actually like having the 2 interpretations of the same characters. But I also really appreciate when they make the effort of bringing the original cast back. The Higurashi series did it after 10 years where, I believe, there was nothing but a short movie, and even most side characters have the same voices! I just love that they didn't hesitate to bring Soichiro Hoshi back in 2020, him being almost 50 years old. But of course, he sounds just as good as before, if not better.

Honestly, Im fine with recasting, it introduces us to the abilities that we never knew about that seiyuu ( like talents and voice range). Recasting also help our veterans rest, sometimes the anime is too old that the seiyuu is over 70 now, they might not have the same power vocal chords as they used to take into consideration shounen anime, lots of yelling, they may strain their voices if they do so. Sometimes the recasting is also done when a seiyuu (especially from the og cast) has passed away. Take "The First Slam Dunk" for example, one of the main cast seiyuus already passed so maybe thats why for the movie they did a recast. Im not really into recasting seiyuu, especially ic theyre still capable. Im not sure, Im 50/50 on this one

Congratulations! I think it can be a little an overused topic, but it's related to recent things that were happening, maybe can be omitted lol What do you think about the recent UtaPri live, some "fans" complaint because they don't want to see "old people" performing songs, can be releated with the increase or 3d live motion performances? and what do you think about utai/te was selected as a main love interest in a otome, and otome fans compliant about it since is not a seiyuu or even a newbie, in the end an innecesary war between fans, but the role of a seiyuu can be discussed. For me, I feel like "seiyuu fans" end up in a bad position about this topic, and in the end there's not a correct answer, however, I want to people understand better the context instead of compliant.

I feel like I've buried my experience of listening to Soma's CDs mentioned in this episode deep enough, it's time to go back to them - I think I didn't pay that much attention the first time I listened to those, so I think it might be a true first *focused* listen for me, so. I'm excited! (As a side note, I recently relistened to Hikari tatsu Ame and man, even if not as refined as he is now, Soma was already amazing...) As a side-note to Quell, I have ongoing theory that the male idol series work in accordance with two rules, and that's either rule of Black-White duality (hi, Tsukiuta, Vazzrock and also Hanadoll) or rule of four tropes (The Nakama, The Sexy, Found Family and The Elegant/Magical Ga- I mean, Elegant Men with a Very Close Relationships and Supernatural/Mysterious component), so if there's three initial units, I simply wait for the announcement of the fourth even if the lineup feels complete lol. For some weird reason, the 2/3 of series I checked with that rule had some variation of Found Family added as the last unit (and almost all of those have Nishiyama Koutaro in their lineup 😂). But yes, Quell went out and went "screw it, slap from the start we go" and did just that. As to the question...man, my first thought was Mahou no Kizuna, for that rush of "oh, yes, I know I can stay obsessed with that FOR YEARS" vibe, but also both of Quell's CARD entries, for the sheer "holy moly WHAT JUST HAPPENED" feeling you got listening even to just the previews - in a way, very similar to what I felt when listening to UNIVERS, I guess that was Hama Takeshi's magic at work lol. And since I already went that way, "Flowering" from Anthos. Maybe Stay away didn't shook me so much, but listening to Juliet for the first time was that "Ah. New obsession found" moment I just...can't get enough of lol. (tbh I get it with almost every new HanaDoll release, so who I am fooling-) Thanks for the fun episode and the mental exercise!

SIR VANITY!!! Honestly, one of the best musical discoveries for me in 2023. I think I was the one who recommended that song, and even now, I still feel it's amazing. From time to time, I listen to their songs on shuffle, and I often find myself almost singing along to each one. I always enjoy the instrumentals, especially the bass. I hope more people discover them because they just keep getting better and better.

Mmmh It was a tough decision, but I agree with your picks. I especially loved "Miserable Masquerade," which I first heard while listening to Furukawa Makoto on my journey. I don't know why I decided to listen to it on the subway, but I almost felt like dancing! It was so thrilling and vibrant that I instantly fell in love with his music and voice. It's a great recent memory from this year. With Saito Soma, I hadn't listened to his albums in order, but "My Beautiful Valentine" was a huge shock. I tried to remain calm, but it was impossible. His secret track completely shattered my understanding of the experience. Now, answering your question, definitely Louloudi Univers... It's like, I don't know, but it was so enchanting and chaotic. I've said this a lot, but "Addictive Whispering" is exactly what I needed. It's the most beautiful song with the best composer and the perfect lineup. Louloudi set a new standard, and I would love to experiment with them again. It also led me to discover Toyonaga Toshiyuki, which opened up a whole new world of his music and characters. And I have to add Momochi's Guren Shinju. Seriously, I was revived by that one! I need to check out QUELL. Right now, I'm immersed in GROWTH & SOARA, and it feels so fresh and dreamy. Thanks for this interesting episode!