How do I do this again?? *laughs* I feel like every time I come back to this, I already forgot how to do this. And this isn't even the dream last night. *giggles*

Welcome back, people. *sigh* Haha I was reluctant in doing this because why the f**k are single-track releases out on physical instead of whatever stuff I liked that is all the damn digital singles or whatever that are better to talk about but end up we just talk about veterans here? Yes, I count TrySail as veteran. *giggles* Anyways we are back, this is likely the last one of the year seeing how things are going anyways don't make me sigh again, but heck, after this review, I may not have shelf space to buy CDs no more. Maybe it's time to think about this for 20th anniversary next year. *dabs*

Meanwhile, let's talk about 2 very normal songs which may have way deeper meaning than we think. *wink*

(No comment on cover, it's as beautiful as you can make Japanese serif font look)

Okay, I feel like I need to do some research on this. Lia-san for the uninitiated including myself, is an Anison artist famous in the 2000s and 2010s, and the advertising promoted her return into the Anime industry after not releasing songs since 2015 for Anime "Charlotte" as its opening theme song. I will not go deep into the details on what happened, but her comeback was from 2025 where she released a full album since 2011, and has since around then been involved in various Anime songs. This is just an extension of her singing career thus far, celebrated with a physical release as how they have done it all those years ago. What does Lia-san here have to offer? Maybe it's a good time to talk about what she brought to the table.

(1) Ameyadori no Doukei [Rain-Sheltering Adoration]

From first chorus:

As the opening theme song of Anime "Ibitte Konai Gibo to Gishi", it delivered a warming yet catchy tune to the emotional period drama series, which is refreshing to listening as it is familiar, and I think this is its strong point. For Lia-san, her singing in this softens what still feels like a rather lively song, and maybe that was what brought forth the feel of the song title, so to speak. The lyrics talk about the longing of what is implied family coming back, and spending that treasured time together. The melody starts and ends verses well, and I feel like me complaining about the bridge part of the song might be overboard, so I shall refrain from doing so, just like how this song refrained from going too epic, I would argue, and that makes it good.

Rating: Beautifully Above Average

This is as typical of an Anime theme song to be listening to at this era, and that is as comforting as it is good to know great songs like these do exist without going too far. My first time exposure to Lia-san was not disappointing as she is famous for, but despite not being the best in the industry, she is definitely someone to notice, and this song with her singing is good example.

WE ARE NOT DONE YET!!! I am done with these guys though. *ugh* SOMEONE ELSE RELEASE A PHYSICAL MUSIC RELEASE PLEASE-

(I mean, in case you don't know of the remaining members Yoshino and Kiyoe-san, then you don't have to know the one that left)

How many years has it been already? I feel like it was still yesterday talking about Ikimono and their songs, and we are already at the stage of their international recognition phase, with composer and producer Yoshino-san single-handedly holding the helm today, along with Kiyoe-san maybe chipping in on the songs or lyrics. These years has not been much for the 2-member band, but their exposure to many more events overseas has increased as they pick up late on their reach in audiences around the world. This new single is no exception, and being an Anime theme song, has continued to show how well they make and perform their songs, which isn't hard to talk about their achievements since 2 decades ago.

(1) Sayonara Lara [Goodbye Lara]

From final chorus:

Adopted from the Anime with the same title, the song's pace is rather different from their usual songs, which is interesting right from the start and did not make me turn my head for the first time I heard of it. A quick transition into the chorus as a beautiful and rounded ballet makes it just a song to remember, if not scarred by the song title, in my opinion. The lyrics talk about the journey similar to the travel-based period story in the Anime "Goodbye Lara", and Yoshino-san has been known to make great fit of their songs, even though I would argue that doesn't mean it always does well thanks to their rather limited pop ballad genres, but this one is fine. Apart from this, the bridge part is also rather long but this is typical of the compositions, so I shall not complain more. The music video is shown as much of a journey as this song is long, and felt more of a solo trip, emphasizing on the impact as expressed from the Anime too.

Rating: Longingly Average

(5) Koisuru Otome --2005 Rec ver.- [Maiden in Love]

Ah, I did see this in the track list, so I'll talk about it a bit. This was a song from their early days in major label as you can see with the track title, so I would assume this was just an early version of the song that was never released in the single itself, as it felt rough on the edges, yet I can totally remember the lyrics like it's yesterday. I guess this counts as a fancy touch to the single-track release, though more nostalgia bait than anything, I suppose.

The ending of this song in this single should give you a good indicator of the prowess of Ikimonogakari in a nutshell. Their soft feels, emotional lyrics, grand impact... All those make of a good Ikimono song and what represents their band after all these years, I can't help but shed a tear to even their classics as they are represented again today. Here's hope to more of them, and maybe next time, with better song title and impact, would attract more of my attention. The new era of music and artists are here, and I wish for them to stay relevant, I truly do.

- Aozaki Shouhei, on the Klassic Note

THE PACKAGE

Nothing much to talk about here, so I'll keep it short. Initially I was aiming for special gifts specifically the "another jacket" from Amazon for Ikimono but uh, it's not going to be any different from the generic store gift as seen here of the Anime which I didn't watch *shrugs* lol. So, along with the misses of Lia-san's single which yep I waited a month later to do this as you may have noticed their release dates which I kind of regret for the latter but not like you will want to hear me talk about a music artist which isn't idolized by me anyways... I went with our long time friend CDJapan again, as where I have started with these, and I think this is fitting of a return even moving towards Klassic Note's 20th year. I also do get a decent discount from their yearly birthday credits, so I'll take this as a win considering both the singles are priced so high I really wonder how this capitalism thing works now. *cringe*

And... I'm done. *giggles* Hey, I've definitely done more cringe reviews, okay? Remember Suzuki Masayuki and/or Suzuki Aina? Why are all the Suzukis cringe, I wonder? *laughs* Anyways, I'll be done here, so do come back tomorrow for Entertainment News. Heck, this should've been done yesterday but I was busy with the new packages, which was the secret reason why this has been delayed for so long until I gave up because the next few packages for the month are going to be HUGE!!! *giggles* So I'll take this as a wam-up... maybe. See you tomorrow, I'm done with these songs LMAO I've listened to better songs the past few weeks. *dabs*