#mariko’s story has been a real highlight of this show | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

x0401x · 4 years

Text

Chou Animedia Interview with ChouCho

“I made this song with care, so that it would not lose to the anime’s sensible portrayal.”

ChouCho is the one in charge of the ED theme of “Tsurune”. It was released in her single “Orange-iro”. An interview asking about the unknown story of its production was published in Animedia. Here, in Chou! Animedia, we are introducing the whole interview, including the parts that could not make into the article.

Raw || Index || My Ko-fi ( ╹◡╹)っ’･*

Depicting the delicate and simplistic worldview that the anime has.

——“Tsurune —Kazemai Koukou Kyuudou-bu—”, of which the ending theme you are responsible for, has an archery club as its setting. ChouCho-san, it seems you were also part of an archery club in high school.

Yes. Which is why I was extremely happy to be the one singing this ending theme. The anime’s staff apparently did not know about it, so they were very surprised when I said, “I actually used to be in an archery club” (laughs).

——What was your impression from reading the original work?

The descriptions of Japanese archery were quite real, so the feelings from back when I myself was engrossed in it were revived. For example, while the atmosphere of the tournaments was stiff, there was something awe-inspiring to it, which I believe to be a peculiarity of Japanese archery, and I could feel even that air from the original novel. It was written that realistically, so it had me very touched.

——That sense of tension is surely a comfortable thing, right?

There is something I cannot describe with words at all about the nervousness and mood from the instant when you release an arrow after everyone silently goes dead-still, so I would like people to feel them from the novel and the anime.

——What was the cue for you to join the archery club, to begin with?

In a club introduction that happened soon after I enrolled into high school, I saw a demonstration of drawing a bow by an upperclassman dressed in hakama, and I joined the club because I looked up to that hakama look. Our school was not very strong, so we did not leave behind any particularly great records, but I have memories of it being extremely fun, including that peculiar sense of mental strain. While remembering myself from back then as I read the original novel, I felt like doing archery again for the first in a long time. After doing a research, I found that there were countless archery dojos in the metropolitan area and that experienced people can rent a space, so I want to try it when I have the time.

——“Tsurune” is about club activities and also a story about friendships of youth, so what did you feel sympathy for?

There are scenes where team competitions happen, and I was able to read them while overlapping with my own tournament experiences. The shooting of each person is very important in team competitions, so just one misstep ends up greatly affecting the team. But on the other hand, if your companions hit, you can take over that feeling and hit too. It is your own fight, but there is an aspect of it where you receive support from the core of the team. I read the novel while recalling this kind of teamwork so unique to Japanese archery.

——Does any character pique your interest amongst the ones that appear in it?

Takehaya Seiya-kun, I guess. He takes care of the protagonist, Narumiya Minato-kun, in an almost motherly way, and I thought that was delightful. In the anime, characters who had not yet been written about in detail in the original work show up in early stages, and I think that is also one of the highlights. There are three female club members as well, but there still has been no illustration of them in the novel, so I was looking forward to seeing their appearances, as well as more of their personalities and what kind of girls they are, in the anime.

——Additionally, it is also a hot topic that Fuuki Harumi-san, the person who composed the soundtrack of NHK’s Taiga Drama “Segodon”, was the one in charge of this anime’s soundtrack.

I also watched the drama “Segodon” every week and thought its music was wonderful. “Tsurune” is a series with a particular, warm mood to it that is similar to “Segodon”, so I was wondering just what kind of music it would turn out to have, and although the same goes for the animation, I was looking forward to the soundtrack too.

——I thought that the ending theme of “Tsurune”, “Orange-iro”, is a song where one can picture a scene with the five main boys walking back home from club activities side by side. How was your impression when you first listened to it?

The one who made the lyrics and musical composition was Fujii Mariko-san, and it was the first time I worked on a production with her. There is a tranquility to the composition that fits perfectly with the worldview of “Tsurune”, and you can feel warmth from the song. The tune is also easy to listen, and I thought it was a simple melody that can calm you down. Kyoto Animation-san’s works all have a characteristic sensibility to them, so I felt that I wanted to make this song with care, in order not to lose to the anime’s sensible portrayal.

——It is a very simple and idyllic song, right?

Right. That is the kind of melody it is, so rather than singing it clearly, I thought it was more suitable to value the simplicity that this song has. I sang it being conscious of its simplistic warmth, bearing an image that I was not singing it, but instead leaving the words there one by one while observing a distant view.

——But it is not as if the song is just simple; there is a feeling that the song structure strikes the rhythm, right?

Agreed. It was a tune with a pattern that I had never sung before until now. When I was only aware of the rhythm that has a melody to it, I would feel like singing it no matter what, so it took me a bit of time to be able to change my feelings so that I could speak the words without being conscious of the rhythm. As a result of myself fumbling around in order to correspond to what the song demanded with all my might like this, it became a song that bears an image of me purposely erasing the quirks of my usual way of singing.

——But ChouCho-san, it solidly expressed the sense of transparency and carefreeness in your voice that are so typical of you.

I am happy if that is the case.

——About the title, what do you think “Orange-iro” (“The Color Orange”) represents?

Orange is a color with an image of warmth rather than heat. I believe the orange hues of sunset represent the passion inside one’s heart and the radiance of youth. I think people imagine red when they talk about passion, but I believe that, rather than this primary color, having an unclear side to it is more youth-like. Shouldn’t it be a color that is neither red nor yellow, which burns while bearing complicated emotions?

——Lastly, this is something that will happen a little farther into the future, but next February, Tokyo Hakuju Hall will hold your fifth acoustic live, “ChouCho Acoustic Live ‘Naked Garden’ Vol.5”. “Orange-iro” seems like it would be a good match for an acoustic version.

I think it definitely is. I want to try this song out playing the acoustic guitar by all means, so I will do my best at practicing it.

——The last live was in June, and you uploaded a photo of yourself with your acoustic guitar on social media back then, right?

That guitar is something my father, who plays guitar as a hobby, passed down to me, and its model is called Gibson Hummingbird. It is a very good guitar, and I look like I am good at it thanks to its sense of presence, but the truth is that I do not play very well (laughs). The guests watch over me warmly, telling me, “Do your best!”. I will work hard at practice to be able to play more until the next live, so to the people who will have the time, please feel free to come have some fun.

#tsurune #tsurune kazemai koukou kyuudoubu #dailytsurune #sportsanimedaily #fysportsanime #kyoani #kyoto animation #animedia #interview #choucho #my translation

22 notes · View notes

aion-rsa · 4 years

Text

Batman Gifts: Our Pick of the Best DC Collectibles

https://ift.tt/34HQcAI

Here's our rundown of this year's coolest Batman collectibles.

facebook

twitter

tumblr

80 years in and Batman is as popular as ever. Even as you read these words, work is underway on the next cinematic adventure for the Dark Knight, and Joker is still going strong in theaters -- so much so that Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips are hiding away crafting the character's next solo film. The eight decades since Batman was first introduced in the pages of Detective Comics have seen him undergo countless changes, the versatility of the Caped Crusader is a huge part of his staying power. But when it comes down to the nitty gritty, Batman is just a hero at heart -- whether he's the goofy 1960s one or the grimdark Synder take. So you really can't go wrong with giving the gift of Batman, and here's some ideas to make your holiday shopping experience a Bat-tastic one!

Batman 4K Film Collection

Let's kick things off in a big way with some Bat-Movies, shall we? Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin get a deluxe treatment in this eight-disc set that includes 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and digital copies of each film.

Buy the Batman 4K Film Collection here

The Dark Knight Trilogy Collection

Those who prefer their Batman to be a bit less ridiculous will likely be more interested in Christopher Nolan's take on the character with Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises -- all of which are included here in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. Point to ponder, why does everyone give Batman & Robin so much shit when Bale's Batman essentially causes nuclear winter over the skies of Gotham City at the end of The Dark Knight Rises. No wonder he gets the fuck out of town so quick.

Buy The Dark Knight Trilogy Collection here

Batman: The Definitive History of the Dark Knight in Comics, Film, and Beyond

Nearly ever iteration of Batman -- from the World's Greatest Detective to the Dark Knight -- is explored in this mammoth 400-page guide to the character and how he has been portrayed in various forms of media. When a book bills itself as "the most comprehensive history of Batman ever written," it better have the content to back such a brazen statement up, and thats exactly what authors Andrew Farago and Gina McIntyre aim to do here.

Buy Batman: The Definitive History of the Dark Knight in Comics, Film, and Beyond here

Batman Chair Cape

Earn the respect of your coworkers -- or maybe just get a quick trip to HR! -- with this Batman cape that you can connect to your office chair.

Buy the Batman Chair Cape here

The Joker: The Bronze Age Omnibus

Long before you grew tired of Joaquin Phoenix stair memes, the Joker starred in his own short-lived solo comic in 1975 and '76. A strange affair, the title removed the character from the context of Batman -- allowing him to star in stories that were unlike anything he previously appeared him. All nine issues of that book, along with a previously unseen tenth issues and countless other iconic appearances from throughout the DC Universe's stable of comic are included in this massive omnibus. From lightweight adventures to tales that portend the dark madness to come, this is an unmissable volume.

Buy The Joker: The Bronze Age Omnibus here

Batman: Damned

The dream team of Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo collaborated for Batman: Damned, the comic that infamously showed Bruce Wayne's penis for the first time. Yeah. Despite the controversy, the story ranks among the best in recent memory, with Batman trying to get to the bottom of the Joker's death with the unreliable assistance of John Constantine. The miniseries has now been collected into this graphic novel, featuring a behind-the-scenes gallery and afterword from Azzarello.

Buy Batman: Damned here

Also from the team of Azzarello and Bermejo is Joker (not to be confused with the movie of the same name), which DC Black Label declares is "arguably the most terrifying Joker tale ever written." But we will leave that to you to decide.

Buy Joker here

Batmobile: Pursuit of the Joker Lego Set

With the holidays here, it's great that this Lego set actually allows for the Batmobile to lose a wheel, allowing the Joker to get away. At press time Batman's smell remains undocumented.

Buy the Batmobile: Pursuit of the Joker Lego Set here

The Batman Who Laughs

What would happen if Batman and the Joker were one and the same? That's exactly what happens in this graphic novel from writer Scott Snyder and illustrator Jock that focuses on a character who is half Batman, half Joker, all terror -- and you'll never look at the Dark Knight the same again.

Buy The Batman Who Laughs here

The Batman Who Laughs Funko Pop!

FYI: If you really want to win over the Batfan on your holiday shopping this, get them this and The Batman Who Laughs graphic novel.

Buy The Batman Who Laughs Funko Pop! here

Batman Hallmark Christmas Tree Ornament

Tim Burton's Batman turned 30 this year, and Hallmark is celebrating the anniversary with this Keatonesque Batman ornament that will give your Christmas tree some Dark Knight realness.

Buy the Batman Hallmark Christmas Tree Ornament here

Batman Umbrella/Rainwear Set

Rainy days just got that much cooler. This raincoat/umbrella combo would make a fantastic gift for aspiring young superheroes/vigilantes. It's a fine line, right?

Buy the Batman Umbrella/Rainwear Set here

DC Collectibles Artists Alley: Batman by Joe Ledbetter Designer Vinyl

Figure

DC Collectibles continues to up the ante in terms of unique items through their Artists Alley line, which provides the industry's greatest creators with the opportunity to put their spin on the publisher's most iconic faces. Limited to 3,000 pieces, this 7" tall vinyl-cast interpretation of Batman by Joe Ledbetter is a re-imagining of the character that has a real bite to it.

Buy the DC Collectibles Artists Alley: Batman by Joe Ledbetter Designer Vinyl Figure here

Batman: Exclusive Original Television Soundtrack Album

With music and dialogue from the 1960s Batman TV series, this is a gift idea that is a little retro kitsch, a whole lot of cool.

Buy Batman: Exclusive Original Television Soundtrack Album here

Prince: Batman

The same as the above LP, just even more so.

Buy Prince: Batman here

Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass

One of 2019's finest graphic novel is Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass. Writer Mariko Tamaki and artist Steve Pugh have crafted a story about fractured adolescence that elevates the oft-maligned character into a true pop culture force to be reckoned with.

Buy Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass here

Batman: 100 Greatest Moments: Highlights from the History of the Dark Knight

Another colossal book that was produced for Batman's 80th anniversary is this effort from Robert Greenberger that is sure to stir fevered debate among the faithful.

Buy Batman: 100 Greatest Moments: Highlights from the History of the Dark Knight here

The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture

If you are looking for a brilliantly written exploration of how Batman shaped pop culture (and vice versa) look no further than this joyous effort by writer/comics historian/NPR personality Glen Weldon.

Buy The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture here

Invicta Men's Batman Watch

Be the most fashionable Batman fan around with this handsome men's watch from Invicta that is waterproof, has automatic self-wind and comes with a black stainless steel case. What's the time? It's time to stop criminals in Gotham City, whee!

Buy the Invicta Men's Batman Watch here

While not directly connected to Batman, 2019 best show is set in the DC Universe and therefore will has more than enough shared DNA to please fans of the character. Doom Patrol brings together a variety of largely unknown DC characters for a show that somehow manages to be both wildly entertaining and one of the greatest explorations of trauma that the medium of television has offered up. If that sounds somewhat unhinged, that is the entire point. Each of Doom Patrol's characters is severely damaged -- from the world weary Robotman (voiced by Brendan Fraser in a soulful performance) to Jane (Dianne Guerrero), a young woman whose childhood abuse caused her to splinter into 46 personalities each with their own super powers. In a season packed with mindblowing moments, perhaps the most touching involvings the Danny the Street character: A sentient qenderqueer city block that is a haven for society's castoffs. To say any more would give away some of the show's surprises, so just know this, Doom Patrol is peak TV at its best...and a show that deserves to be a much larger part of our cultural conversation.

Buy Doom Patrol: The Complete First Season here

facebook

twitter

tumblr

Feature

Movies

Books

Chris Cummins

Nov 29, 2019

Shopping

Batman

from Books https://ift.tt/34xuaka

#aion-rsa #Books

0 notes

fandumbstuff · 7 years

Text

The X-Men Franchise, Ranked Best to Worst

In light of Fox’s most recent addition to the X-Men franchise, the stellar Logan, I decided to retrospectively weigh in on the history of the franchise. This is a franchise that really made me an X-Men fan, and it’s one I have enjoyed tremendously. Considering that Hugh Jackman is retiring his performance as Wolverine, and I’m still not quite over his performance in Logan, forgive me if I toot his horn a little too much over the course of this post.

1. Days of Future Past

Directed by Brian Singer

A feverish vision of marrying Singers original films with the First Class mutants pays off in the most spectacular fashion. An epic spanning across time to make sense of the franchise as a whole and create a working continuity - such an innately comic book-esque story. In many ways this is a crossover that trumps all others. It isn’t just the X-Men going up against a big bad. It’s the X-Men of the future trying to right the sins they made in the past. It’s as much an inward reflection on their morality and their motives as it is a physical struggle against a larger than life villain. The film really highlights the stellar cast that the franchise has acrrued over the years. Watch the scenes that Fassbender’s Magneto shares with Lawrence’s Mystique. Or Professor X and Magneto’s Last Stand against an onslaught of Sentinels. Or the meeting of Charles Xaviers old and young. Each one of them is a master class in acting.

2. Logan

Directed by James Mangold

Here’s the thing. Hugh Jackman is a better Wolverine than Wolverine. His 17 years spent evolving the character has transcended it’s comic book version. His impeccable ability to lend a vulnerability under all the gritty stoicism has been evident throughout the franchise, but it is especially evident in Logan. It is fittingly his final performance as the character. An incredible epic journey that charts Logan’s highs and lows. It showcases the drama, violence and tragedy that is ingrained in the character and sets it in a gritty spaghetti Western tour of America. Accompanied by a strong (and concise) supporting cast that includes Sir Patrick Stewart’s last performance as Professor X and Dafne Keen’s powerful portrayal of X-23, Logan is the swan song that Hugh Jackman deserved.

3. X2: X-Men United

Directed by Brian Singer

The X-Men franchise has the benefit of of having an infinitely colorful cast of characters to choose from. And while some films have gone a little overboard with this (Apocalypse, Last Stand), X2 did it best. It finds strong performances from all of its actors, particularly Alan Cumming’s show stealing performance as Nightcrawler. Brian Cox’s performance as William Stryker provides the kind of creepy misguided sense of justice that is the perfect opposition for the X-Men, in a storyline that borrows heavily from a Chris Claremont story, and shows his original vision of just how horrific discrimination can be.

4. X-Men: First Class

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

An incredibly well executed origin story from Matthew Vaughn, First Class foregoes the franchise’s love affair with Wolverine to instead focus on the origins of Professor X and Magneto. James MacAvoy lends a younger, slightly more brash interpretation of Charles Xavier that subtly and surely fills the role that will become the Patrick Stewart version of the 90s. And Michael Fassbender delivers a powerhouse performance as Erik Lensherr, charting the tragic backstory of the character that later defines his ruthlessness. MacAvoy and Fassbender play brilliantly off of each other, establishing the bromantic tension that defines Charles and Erik’s relationship. But the real star of the film is it’s very setting. Taking place in the 60s, in the same era that the X-Men were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, First Class sets the struggle within the greater cultural context of the the height of the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. We’re left to ponder the political ideologies of the warring factions of mutants against the backdrop of humanity at its quarrelsome worst.

5. The Wolverine

Directed by James Mangold

This is probably the first time Hugh Jackman is given a strong enough script to match his talent. Based off Chris Claremont and Frank Miller’s acclaimed debut story, the movie manages to surpass its source material. Claremont’s story shows a sensitive side of Logan by showing his love for Mariko Yashida, and the conflict that arises between him and the Yashida clan. While this relationship and conflict is very much present in the film, Mangold goes one step further by having Logan contend with his waning immortality. Hugh Jackman is able to play Logan in his most human vulnerability, contrasted with the more primal brutality of some of the film’s action scenes.

6. X-Men

Directed by Brian Singer

Brian Singer’s original vision for the franchise closely resembles the themes established by Claremont’s legendary comic run. X-Men is about the discrimination of those considered to be different. Charles Xavier’s group of outcasts struggling to find their place in the world, locked in an enduring struggle with Magneto and his need to establish dominance over a race he considers to be weaker. It is the discriminated fighting discrimination. It’s a socially conscious tale that will maintain its relevance for many years to come. And Singer really manages to execute it marvellously. And if it wasn’t for Wolverine’s completely inexplicable obsessive-creepy-barely-a-relationship with Jean Grey, it might have been higher on this list.

7. X-Men: Apocalypse

Directed by Brian Singer

Despite how much I loved this film the first time I saw it, I couldn’t bring myself to look past it’s many flaws when re-watching it. Like the poorly tacked-on Wolverine cameo (that would have payed off so much more if he wasn’t advertised in trailers), the re-hash of a Quicksilver scene from the previous film, or the unnecessary backstory that provides sympathy for Magneto yet again. Considering that at the end of Days of Future Past, Magneto was very much a villain, they could have simply carried on with this, instead of trying to add an emotional backstory and then have him turn to villainy again. Not only was it poorly executed (whoops my hand slipped), but it’s pretty poor writing considering it’s just two female characters that serve no purpose other than to further Magneto’s plot.

8. Deadpool

Directed by Tim Miller

While I’m sure this film would be higher on most lists, I’m going to express my unpopular opinion that Deadpool is a pretty crappy superhero. And that’s evident just from watching this film. The use of meta-humour loses its novelty quickly and eventually just becomes an excuse for poor writing. Deadpool is known for his dark humour, and the film goes to great lengths to make this evident. A little too far, in fact- A moment when Wade Wilson is “flirting” with his “love interest” Vanessa results in the pair making light of the fact that they were raped as kids. I enjoy dark humour as much as any one, but I draw the line at child abuse. Wade’s relationship with Vanessa then becomes a major plot point in the film, as it mostly revolves around Deadpool’s need to save her from the creepy villain, and show her how much he loves her. But at no point do we see this “love” play out. We do see them have a lot of sex though. It’s an inherently flawed plot, but the film trudges on and delivers some stellar fight scenes nonetheless, and a strong supporting cast to keep us entertained. Ultimately, Deadpool is probably the closest adaptation of a comic book character I have ever seen, and if you’re a Deadpool fan, you will love this movie. If you aren’t, it’s hard to look past the inherent flaws in the film’s structure.

9. X-Men: The Last Stand

Directed by Brett Ratner

That “obsessive-creepy-barely-a-relationship” I mentioned earlier in X-Men comes to a head in this film. And it’s downright unbearable. Wolverine is reduced to a simpering mess for most of the film, pining over a confused and absurd interpretation of Jean Grey/Phoenix. The film burns through years of comic book storyline over the course of a few minutes, and foregoes any real character development to tease the final showdown between the Brotherhood and the X-Men, without ever really explaining the motivations behind any of the characters other than Magneto. The showdown is entirely underwhelming as a result of this, and the climax is totally disappointing. It would be a long time before the X-Men would ever be good again, and it’s entirely Brett Ratner’s fault.

10. X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Directed by Gavin Hood

Honestly, this movie is totally forgettable and I couldn’t bring myself to watch it again to write this review. It begins with a pretty promising montage that shows Jackman’s Wolverine and a sadly underutilized Liev Shrieber as Sabretooth fighting in wars spanning the century. It all goes downhill from there. In a franchise that drew so much from the comic book legacy of the X-Men, this film seems to ignore it completely. And while a re-interpretation of the story might have been acceptable, the film instead seems to have the goal of muddling the story altogether, burying any interest in fan-favourite characters along the way. The majority of the film can be summed up by the image of Hugh Jackman screaming with his claws outstretched.

3 notes · View notes