Oh hey we are literally jumping from one post to another haha I told myself I bear the consequences for lining all of these up in one day and I'm sorry for complaining about how I should be getting the photobook earlier, but hey, this time around we are talking about music! Something decent now haha is this decent though? Not till I'm done with Kana-chan and Sumipe, I won't. *laughs*

So yeah, we are lined up with two singles to start the year in Klassic Note. Not exactly expected but ironically not unexpected so I'm just glad we can start off with some recognition to these two artists in some sort of fashion considering I have plenty of history with these women. *giggles* Okay jokes aside, let's talk about what's new in Anime!

Oh totally, this is THE Valentine's Day gift for me this year. Guess who I chose as my Valentine. *silence* I can't choose married women lol also Sumipe for THAT BANGING BODY-

(I don't know which I like better, but locking Kana-chan up sounds like an incoming fetish that'll get me into trouble so I'll take it on surface value)

Origin: Wow has this been so many years in the making. Firstly, if you have not known about famous Japanese voice actress Hanazawa Kana, don't go out telling others you know Anime. For her popularity goes above most of them, she is known for her distinctive soft yet aborable voice in the array of characters she has played over almost a decade and a half when I knew her back in 2008, and she has never been disappointing ever since. For music though, despite starting her solo music career in 2012 and only recently has she changed music labels to now PONY CAYON (which houses Kitou Akari, Taketatsu Ayana etc.), she has not been up to a smooth start despite the continued back up from composer and producer Kitagawa (Katsutoshi, I only remember his family name) who pretty much decided even her music career back then and in the new label... until now. This is a single for Anime, not surprising, but what might be more surprising is how much more depth this release has just being mediocre, not even impressive. Let's notice this and find out why.

(1) Dramatic Janakute mo [Even If (You Are) Not as Dramatic]
From first chorus:

For starters, this is as simple of a melody as this can get. Not surprising for the Anime it was featured in I shall not elaborate more, but maybe it's because of that, it gave off more of a softer feel than your usual Pop song, which I guess isn't all too bad after all. Coupled with the hot and cold lyrics similar to the feels of Anime "Kubo-san" and their main female character (to who she also voices), it really gives this song the personal touch with respect to its credit, I have to say. Being the opening theme artist and main character? This is actually her first, and likely why this presents her a new opportunity to stand out among the crowd, contrary to the Anime's theme of being unnoticeable. This might have helped her created the much needed impression for her music career. Just ignore the usual quirks like the bridge part, and you'll be fine, totally.

Rating: Outstandingly Below Average

(2) Groovy Mystery Train

From second chorus:

Don't ask me why this is the title of the, I guess, groovy song, but hey, at least in the lyrics of this rather short song, Hanazawa Kana-chan herself got it in the bag. Yes, this is the artist's once in a blue moon lyrics composition, singing about the adrenaline rush and being on and adventure that awaits ahead, it might even be hard to keep up. The arrangement of this song despite with the same composer running the mill definitely helped in making this pop out as an interesting B-side as it caught my attention first when I heard of the preview before the full song was out. For that, along with cheeky background vocals also by Kana-chan, are probably convincing enough for me to like this song. It might have an abrupt end though, which I would say adds in to the uniqueness of the melody.

Rating: Quirky Average

Conclusion: This is quite a harsh talk about a Hanazawa Kana single, but I think I'll treat this as their most successful release 10 years coming into her solo music career. I just think this single deserves praise. As I rock on the B-side and think of the A-side, I still think this is quite an interesting release to give chance to even if you have no idea who the artist is. Oh, if you are her fan though, then by all means embrace this as her best achievement in getting credit for her songs out there. For we have waited this long, just a decade long, for her to be recognized of her singing since I guess you know that song from the Monogatari series. No more that, we rockin' this single now.

AND WE ARE NOT DONE YET! Next up!!

(If you need a reason to like Uesaka Sumire and her gothic artist style like me, then you might as well take the Anime character. Not close-ups though.)

Origin: This must be a second miracle we are talking here. As I joke about how I have already given two Uesaka Sumire singles in full with the previous one from 2017, I question myself how much I'm keen on listening to this specific voice actress' quirks as she embarks on another season of an Anime series featuring her as a tsundere but more importantly, aggression becoming her personality with this release itself. The series didn't catch me much to be honest, but as she again sings the opening theme song, things are about to change. As much as the songs Sumipe sings are just as weird as her and we will get to that later, somehow coming from her it makes her music career all the more unique since it can be unforgiving as it can be fantastic. And this one falls into the latter, I would argue.

(1) LOVE CRAZY

From first chorus:

This song title totally holds this song all the way, and we are only talking about the melody. The janky Rock style and very insinuating lyrics help amplify the power of this song to how much to and from the girl in this relationship has to desperately yet passively hit on the guy to get him to fall in love with her, the theme for the Anime is definitely passed through with emphasis and with force. I can't really complain how one would dislike this unless you can't get the feels in this song. The lyrics paint a very accurate picture of push and pull of love especially in the chorus, which only makes this icing on the cake so much sweeter as backed up by the aggression of music behind. I can truthfully say this has perfected the Anime theme song formula down and true to its roots as this will be a instant favourite among those who have gave this a listen.

Rating: Crazily Impressive

(2) REBELLION

From first chorus:

As far as I know I walked in only knowing that this is a theme song for some upcoming video game, but damn is it actually good. The melody does hit on point, it has a slightly unusual style compared to the first song to make sure they don't clash, and it's catchy enough for anyone to get on to it. Maybe a little rap may have offset the pace at this song delivers, but I have to say it isn't too bad in my opinion after all, of course with the usual bridge part issue. The lyrics paint a strong feel towards a rebellion with drive as shown in the title and with someone to protect, it's definitely a song I've expected Sumipe to sing as a music artist. It's that good.

Rating: Positively Above Average

(3) Michi ga Wakaranai no Uta [Song About (An) Unknown Path]

From first chorus:

Oh yeah this is the 90s style melody I've been waiting for as usual, and I do not joke they made sure this is a simple melody to remember. And I would believe so because of the fact that they had to let Sumipe write the lyrics to this song. Even with a unique title, one would believe that this song would bring meaning in its lyrics, but trust me, that only barely holds in the choruses. The verses tell a different story, as she struggles to write lyrics that make any sense, but since it's about getting lost, you can see even as an example, in the second verse she was just describing how to get to Shinjuku, which is as ironic as it's actually entertaining to listen. Her creativity and quirkiness to this level still impresses, and I can't say much but to give it despite being reluctant in the first place.

Rating: Confusingly Average

Conclusion: This single is a good example of what happens if you give good songs to an Anime artist. You may think I joke like this, but it's hard to give Uesaka Sumire proper recognition when every other single in her music career is nothing but traps to music I would rather not listen to. This single will prove otherwise even if she still prefers such a path, for this level of craziness is still up my alley, I would rather they do this more often instead. And if you have not heard of her, this release might be a good time to give her a chance, since this has everything to cater to your tastes to make you like her.

- Aozaki Shouhei, on the Klassic Note

(Wow I feel like this is a competition between idols, and Kana-chan just lost by a mile. Congrats Sumipe, you have once again impressed me with your songs. You have no idea how much I hated the idea of giving any of your songs back then when you started lmao)

THE PACKAGE

Let's go in order, shall we? Kana-chan's single is already different as you can see from the above, as it's being aligned vertically in the cover instead of the usual horizontally aligned, but that's not all. We have the Anime "another jacket" alternate cover embedded within the booklet which featured a nicely drawn character Kana-chan was featured in haha yes it's Kubo Nagisa I did not want to name that in my review despite knowing that she is indefinitely cuter than a married woman- MOVING ON haha, instead of all the special bromide gifts which are all landscape so don't ask which one I liked it's all the same damn black outfit as if she is attending my funeral lmao, I chose her music label PONY CANYON's store Canime special gift, which suffice it to say I may show this off if I have time, it's a special photo which can be scanned with an AR (augmented reality) mobile app "COCOAR2" which, if I'm not wrong, allows you to see a miniature something on top of the bromide. I'm making a guess right here, it's mini Kana-chan Kubo-san I don't know I'll come back and prove me wrong but just anything is already worth the trip.

Oh well that's too much of Kana-chan, so let's talk about Sumipe now! *laughs* Hey, you don't need to show this much in order to be good, okay? She already won in my heart which speaks music first; It's Klassic Note after all. *dabs* Other than that though, we are dealt with the typical Anime release cover and artwork and stuff, so I'm good with that considering the actual contents of this single is already in unique territory. For the special gift though, since my bro can't make a choice (lol) and ironically the birthday month vouchers I got are actually lesser than the points I can redeem, I chose the special gift bromide from Toranoana with its guaranteed stock since you have to add to cart too, instead of some of the others which are Animate, Kinkurido the music label's own shop, HMV or even TSUTAYA. *silence* I'm not into overaged high school girls lmao look at that curve on the photo I got dude *laughs*

Oh boy are we not quite nearly done with today's blog posts. *giggles* Last but not least though, we are finally done with the package by the way, I will talk about the stuff I've saved for the occasion about me and my life going ahead. Well, still stuck in the digital world but it will be different. Trust me, the cogs of change are just starting. See you there then.

P.S. Since I had to show my bro who doesn't love Sumipe enough (haha got him), here are what more  than the cover you can see if you pay.

P.P.S. Okay since it didn't blow my mind, but if you want to know what was the AR content from the special gift bromide of Kana-chan's single, read on.