Monday, February 27, 2012

Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom

That would be my current desktop, thanks to the first English otome game ever to be released with their original Japanese seiyuus~ Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom!

I was able to get the limited edition UMD with the 72-page art book and soundtrack CD. I had to admit, I was nervous… The closest thing I ever got to a visual novel game was UtaPri Music! Who would I end up with and would it end well?

Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly?), I got Saito Hajime in my first run. His personality is so much like Masato from UtaPri, and a complete 180 from Rurouni Kenshin's version, that it makes me wonder… is he my type? Vice versa?

What I didn’t expect, however, was the accuracy of the historical events written in the game. And how completely different this would be from UtaPri. There's so much depth in the story that it just pulls you in, even if you're not much of a history fan like me.

When I went through Hijitaka Toshizo on my 3rd run (and figured out how to fast forward any and all dialogue I’ve already gone through), I decided to read the real Hijitaka’s biography… My goodness, right to the very end! Including his family, his battles with the Shinsengumi, and even his title of “Demon”… they were all historical facts! Even his height!

Maybe… that was why when I finished Saito’s, Kazama’s, and Hijitaka’s route… I felt very depressed. Playing the game makes me feel so sad, even if I do get the character I want to fall in love with me Chizuru in the end… Because the game stays true to the historical facts, it makes my heart sink every time I reach the ending.

Hijikata's the most difficult route for me to play so far, because to get him to like me, I had to go against my own personality. Saito’s was much easier, since I just did what I would do or say, given the circumstances. Kazama was easy, because all you really had to do was… well, I’m sure you guys will figure it out.

I haven’t touched my PSP all day because of Hijitaka… maybe I will try Souji’s route now to see if that will cheer me up. Or I should just curl up tonight and get some sleep.

…I can’t help but wonder what the real Shinsengumi would say if they saw this game. The proud samurai getting told off and cared for by Chizuru? I don’t think that would really work IRL.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

SHINee: Hello

I don't know what about this song caught my attention first, but after hearing it on MTV today, I knew that I had to blog about it, even though the song’s already a year old.

When I act like this I realize I’m actually young
[She’s] right in front of me but I don’t know what to do
How do you start love?
People who have loved please tell me
Will there be a day when I hold her hand?
Will there be a day when I kiss her above her closed eyes?

Translations by: Inner Charm

The light-hearted melody and sweet lyrics of a boy who is in love… The song has a nice beat to it that makes me want to sing and dance~ Not only that, the boys from SHINee look like they’re really enjoying themselves in this music video… so much that it’s hard not to like it.

Would you say yes to one of these guys?

Friday, February 17, 2012

That Loveable, Sensitive, Hyperactive Puppy~ ♥

I’m almost done unlocking everything in Uta no Prince-sama Music! Talk about game addiction. Nothing like a bunch of bishounen with sexy-voiced seiyuus to get that adrenaline rush needed to complete stages requiring god-like speed!

utapri music translations - ittoki otoya episode 1 by breadmasterlee

Incidentally, I never thought I would fall for Ittoki-kun. For one thing, hyperactive puppies aren’t really my type. I usually go for the intelligent bookworms, but I guess with Ittoki-kun being… well, Ittoki-kun, I can’t help it!

Ok, so it’s probably because he’s the one who kisses you Haruka the most, but that’s beside the point! Kinda…

Good thing I’m studying Japanese now. I’m learning a few terms here and there and it’s helping me understand these episodes more and more. I have no clue how right or wrong my translations are, but as far as my limited Japanese goes, these are Ittoki-kun’s highlights:

Episode 1: “I'm happiest when I'm with you! Can I... hold you hand?” My mistake! Please refer to the screenshot above~ Thanks Bread Master Lee~

Episode 3: *lots of hot kissing* “I wonder why... it makes my heart beat so fast. It makes me very happy though. Is your heart racing too?”

Then he asks if he could kiss you again. Like you really have a choice in the matter, but I was practically screaming “Yes!” at him. xD

“Thanks,” *kiss* “daisuki… (love you…)”

Please excuse me while I flail.

Episode 6: This I find incredibly cute and romantic. He basically makes you cover your eyes until you reach your destination. When you get there, it turns out to be a lookout point by the ocean, and the two of you watch the first sunrise together.

Episode 7: Ittoki says something about hurrying or the two of you will be late. Unfortunately(?), you trip! So he helps you, panics that you're hurt, then screams "PAIN! BE GONE!" or something like it! He's a very sad puppy for hurting you though. Aww~

Episode 8: “I love your eyes ("pupils" is the direct translation). When your happy, when your sad, I really love them so much.”

“Hey, don't hide (look away from me)!”

“I love them most when your eyes are looking into mine. So please? Let me see (you)?”

“Thanks...” *kiss* “Daisuki~ (Love you~)”

Episode 9: He bugs you to take a photo, with him holding the camera.

“1, 2, 3!” *kiss* *takes photo*

“Hehe, did I surprise you?”

“What? We're koibito (boyfriend-girlfriend) now, so it's ok (so these things are allowed)!”

Again, you’re probably better off looking for more accurate translations than this one, because I’ve hardly even memorized my Hiragana yet. But, let’s just say, listening and watching to Ittoki’s scenes during Valentines Day made me very happy~

Friday, February 10, 2012

Finally!

SPOILERS AHEAD! If you’re playing UtaPri Music and haven’t unlocked サザンクロス恋唄, “Southern Cross Waltz” (I think?) in Pro Mode, then you might not want to read this just yet!

So in episode 3, Natsuki is teaching me Haruka how to dance the Waltz; true to the song’s title! But after spinning her, being the clutz that she is, they tumble, and this happened…

uta no prince-sama music - natsuki episode 3

uta no prince-sama music - natsuki episode 3

uta no prince-sama music - natsuki episode 3

My goodness, Natsuki, how is it possible for you to make me melt just by the sound of a kiss? HOW?!

I think I might be developing carpal tunnel syndrome thanks to this game. I guess I need to put my PSP aside for at least a day for the cramps to go away, but I’m too much of an addict to do that. No wonder people are so patient in unlocking Pro Modes. I have 2 left for Natsuki~ but I dread hearing Satsuki’s demanding voice in Orion de Shout Out. He scares me more than Tokiya does!

Cecil’s all done now, but he’s not really my type, unfortunately. I think his Japanese is throwing me off a little? Although I found it cute that he didn’t want to let me Haruka go in one of the episodes. I might watch all 9 again to see if I can understand his dialogue better this time.

Now where did I put that PSP charger?

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Well, that really was Anti-Climactic…

I suppose Tokiya is the most gentlemanly of all the princes, and possibly the most ideal IRL boyfriend because he’s such a gentleman, but… I have to say, I’m a bit disappointed. This is not real life after all, where are my kisses?! Even though I like him better now that I did in the anime, he really can’t beat Natsuki nor Masato for me.

uta no prince-sama music - tokiya translation episode 2.1

I guess the bad thing was, I’ve already unlocked the other guys’ episodes, and they quite literally make out with you. Tokiya doesn’t really kiss you until you unlock Episode 9 (Pro Mode of Nanairo no Compass), and even that was weird, because you were the one who apparently wanted to spent the night together. Not in a pervy way, mind you… I think.

uta no prince-sama music - tokiya translation episode 2.1

I think Episode 2 is my favorite for Tokiya. Because seriously, that blush! And that I really was laughing when I unlocked this because I figured out how to switch him with Hayato~ So yes, Ichinose-san, I really am laughing at you for your Hayato character!

There are other cute scenes like… he’s watching you sleep, waking you up, randomly rambling about how beautiful the world is (because he’s in love? Yeah, probably…), or that party where he calls you ohime-sama (princess), but… like I said, no kisses, aside from one little smack goodnight on Episode 9.

I guess it also doesn’t help that he intimidates me somehow. I feel like I’m going to get hit with a paper fan or a really cold glare if I don’t at least get an A when I play his songs. For me to get through the Pro songs, I switched Tokiya with Hayato. It made me laugh every time he said “Miyu~sic~kuu~~ Stah~to!” and whenever he congratulates or encourages me in the end. Definitely less intimidating and much more enjoyable~! Because c’mon, Mamoru Miyano using falsetto?! Priceless!

Oh well, I guess I should go unlock the other Pro Modes and see what else I’ll get.