June Song(s) of The Week 4

Really this should be a June six songs of the week, mixed with a Beginner's Guide to Anime post.  This video is a short twelve minute long musical... performed completely by software and animation.  In Japanese pop culture, works like these are often collaborations of animators, composers, arrangers, and so forth.  First, let me explain the voices in this musical (I'll probably make a standalone post on it later):

Vocaloid: Software that emulates singing.  Practically a voice synthesizer.  There are many different models of Vocaloid; English, Japanese, and their own models within those languages.  The most famous of them is the Vocaloid 2 model Hatsune Miku (Alice in the video below).  Other Vocaloid models included in the musical are (in order of appearance): Kagamine Len, Kaito, Kagamine Rin, Megurine Luka, and Meiko.  

And without further ado, I present "Alice in Musicland"!  Enjoy!

The Relatable Musician 5

I recently bought a new 6 string bass (love the extra C string for chords) and today I bought a used Fender rumble 25 bass amp.  At first, it just started with a Squire P-strat with no amp,
but at this rate, I'm going to have to get two bedrooms... one for music and one for sleeping.  Or I'll just install a hammock and sleep above all the instruments :D

The Beginner's Guide to Anime: The Attracting Factors in Characters

Okay, this topic I don't have a tonne of knowledge in, and I don't have any good research to go off of.  Sorry if this is not accurate to the veteran's standards.

As promised in the previous Guide to Anime post, I'm (going to attempt) explaining what a loli is. The explanation is, of course, below.  But before you read there, I should explain this topic a little more.  A loli is one of the many stereotypes put in characters as an attractive factor.  Most anime have a character that has an appealing factor to them, even though a lot of people don't notice that they are stereotypes.  Some of them are agreeable factors, where others take some time to understand.
I should add that there are a lot of them... So this list isn't complete.  Maybe if I feel oddly motivated I'll continue it.  Of course, if I miss any, just tell me in the comment section.

The Childhood Friend: As the title suggests, the main character has a childhood friend and they fall in love later (usually high school).  These are either promises made to each other from a young age, unrequited love that eventually gets recognition, or a relationship that neither character sees coming.  Usually found in the romance genre.
Examples: I actually can't remember any anime I've watched with a big emphasis on this.  I vaguely remember Asura Cryin' having this element, but don't quote me on that.  I haven't watched Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood or Steins;Gate but I heard they stress this element a bit.

Senpai/Kouhai Relationships: A senpai (sometimes spelt sempai) is a senior in position relative to someone else in the same field/discipline.  The most popular use in anime is at school, however, it can be used in dojos, workplaces, etc.  Basically whoever is slightly senior in rank, you call senpai.  And kouhai is the opposite: a senpai would call their underclassmen kouhai.  Senpai is not to be confused with sensei; an authority figure. Senpai is usually reserved for a mentor-type role.
In context, a 2nd year high school student would call the 3rd years senpai, and 1st years kouhai.
And also, as the mentioned above in the title, relationships between the senpai and kouhai may happen. If you don't know already, this element is where the meme "I hope senpai will notice me" comes from.  In some anime, the kouhai might have feelings for the senpai, but not have the ability to say it.
Examples: Strike the Blood,  Ouran Host Club, Dusk Maiden of Amnesia (sorta)

The Sibling Complex:  Closeness with a sibling to the point that it either annoys the charactercoughvictimcough, or makes other people wonder if incest is going to take place.  Usually the character with the complex teases their sibling a little much, and can be jealous people.  If the target character has a girlfriend/boyfriend, it's possible that the complex sibling would try sabotaging the relationship.  In other cases, the complex sibling declares their love (usually in a comedic manner) and tries to keep any other potential competition away.  In general, a sibling complex in a character includes thinking that if they weren't related by blood, they would have a relationship with their sibling.
(Side note: I think I might do a post just about complexes sometime.)
Examples: The Irregular at Magic High School, Oreimo, No Game No Life

Lolicon: "Loli" being the shortened form.  Blatantly put, a lolicon is a pedophile.  But in anime, it's a term used for a type of character.  Lolis are girls that are under the age of consent, the appeal being childish features and innocence.  I say this in the least possible creepy way: lolis are adorable.  They are like the cute internet puppies of anime.  But they can talk, dress adorably, cock their head slightly and say "senpai", and eat food in the cutest possible manner (yeah, I definitely have a weakness).
Now that you know about the sibling complex and lolis, I can share this photo I found a little while back... If you've watched a bit of all three of these series, it is a lot funnier.

Oh, you should also know that "imouto" is a younger sister.  It goes under the "sister complex" category.
Anime used from top to bottom: Black Bullet, The Irregular at Magic High School, No Game No Life

Maid: This one I never really got either.  There's this thing out there for maids, or girls in maid outfits.  I don't see the big attraction, but hey, whatever floats your boat.
Apparently characters in anime are aware maid outfits really exist as fanservice, and realize that having to wear one is potentially very embarrassing.  If you're watching an anime and the character has a maid outfit forced upon them, you now know why their face turns bright red.
The male counterpart of this stereotype is of course, the butler (shitsuji).  Using the most famous anime butler, Sebastian, as an example, the butler always looks good, acts gentlemanly, and does anything in their power for their master.  Not nearly as much as a fanservice as maid outfits, but still a huge attractive factor for girls.
Examples: Black Butler, Nanana's Buried Treasure, Kaichou wa Maid-sama!


Bishoujo/Bishonen: Respectively, these characters are the girls that are considered a beauty by everyone, and the boys that are so pretty that they can pass for girls.

Fan art of Zaizen Hikaru

The bishoujo have slimmer yet appealing figure, long flowing hair, big sparkling eyes, and an innocent face.  And bishonens... Just see for yourself.  These are all the hot guys in anime.  For anyone not familiar with anime, bishonens are often mistaken for girls.
Examples: Black Butler, Nisekoi, Inu x Boku SS, Special A

After spending probably too much time on this post, I have determined that this topic is going to take a lot longer than I thought.  It's late. I'm starting to spend more time editing than researching.  I'm starting to have terrible remembers.  #inexperiencedwriterexcuses
So, I'm splitting this post up.  Look for part two in the coming week!

June Song of the Week 3

Found this little gem three weeks back on Youtube, and wanted to post it.  After putting it off for other stuff, I'm finally getting it done. Yay for procrastinating...

It's a good break from Pharrell Williams XD
Incidentally, the following day I found a video of a couple dancing to this song.  Just watch it, they're really good...

The Prince and His Unwanted World

Yet another rant.

Don't get confused, it's not that the prince's world is unwanted by others.  It's that he doesn't want to be the prince.

I'm the son of an influential person of the medical world.  It's not so high of status that my father can change the country's healthcare system like a politician, but it is high enough for a lot of people to view me as the spoiled child of the boss.  My father has quite a few employees, more than just a normal sized clinic.  And being the boss' kid, it's easy to get benefits... a good childhood pastime was stealing goodies from the staff room, usually cookies or donuts.  And there was raiding the fridge for the stash of soda that anyone was welcome to take... if they worked there.  But when you're the boss' kid, who's going to stop you?

Such benefits continue into teenage years, with more added... one being the job benefit.  For example, this summer I'm not in town for the month of August; my family is going on a three week long trip.  And for the last week, I'm going to an all day camp (an intensive music camp).  Who is going to hire a fresh-out-of-highschool student for only a month?  Why waste your time on a kid that will only work for half the time and 1.4x the price compared to the eager teenagers starting to explore the workforce?

These questions can be ignored when you are the boss' kid.  It's uncommon for someone to challenge it. 

But being on top of the the small world in front of me is not something I enjoy.  With it comes everyone's judgement.  No one learns who you are as a stranger... you are already seen as a royalty that needs to be protected and attended to.  And should you somehow wrong them, you will get a good talking to, or even lose your job.  Your junior co-worker has more benefits than you, could potentially get paid more, and has flexible hours than you do.  It makes sense that they would judge me off the bat. 

It is very agreeable by everyone who meets him: the manager is naturally abrasive.  Very naturally abrasive.  He is good at what he does because of his personality, but a lot of people don't like dealing with him.  One time, my father couldn't take me to school after work, and asked the manager to do it as a favor.  Then for every person that asked him of his next whereabouts, he told them that he was leaving briefly to chauffeur the little prince.  

...That's uncalled for.  And not what I want to be remembered as.

 If you are the son or daughter of an employer, or of an influential person of society, you might know what I experience.  Whether you be a son of a doctor, a daughter of a high school principal, or the president's kid, you know that you have potential power.  It can be abused very easily.  And many people under you fear it.

But as for me and many others, we do not want this power.  We don't want to be feared as kids that could potentially make someone lose their job or get them in trouble.  We don't want jealous sighs of senior employees heard behind our backs.  We just want to be recognized as ourselves, just like anyone else.  

June Song of the Week 2

On the complete different note than the last song of the week (Yes, laugh at my terrible puns), I decided to post this.  It's one of those that look just like any other a capella video... but at around 1 minute, elements get pretty interesting.  And the ending... oh the ending... just so powerful...

A great arrangement that should definitely be watched.

What to do with my free time?

When I ask that question, the default answer is "watch anime".  But as crazy as it sounds, it is possible for me to get bored of it.  Too much anime is actually something that can happen to me.  When the social networks are boring, I don't feel like starting new a new anime, and my work is done, my IP address usually wanders it's way to this site.  I stare at the "new post" button, thinking what I should do.  What should I write?  Research more on anime?  Find something for The Relatable Musician?  Write something completely random?  I have to take a while to decide what I'm writing before I write.  And lately, since I'm quite busy with a giant piano exam, it's gotten harder to decide what to do.

So, I'm leaving it to you guys!  If you follow this blog and know I've written so far, tell me what you would like to see me write next!  There is a poll on the top right of the home page, next to this post if you read it before I post anything else.  If I get good response I'll keep it up for next month.  

You have until the end of the month to vote!  

The Beginner's Guide to Anime: The Foreign Genres

Everybody knows what mystery, romance, action, and horror is.  They're all genres that books and movies fall under.  But if you're going to watch anime, you should know there some genres that are not labeled in western culture.  So, here's a few of them (conveniently in alphabetical order):

Adventure: This one is quite the popular genre.  As the name suggests, an adventure takes place.  These anime can be any length; short and sweet, standard 21-25 episodes, or super long with tons of character development, such as Naruto. 
Examples: Naruto, Full Metal Alchemist, Pokemon

Ecchi: According to Wikipedia, ecchi (ech-ee) is Japanese slang for lewd conduct.  It can be used as a noun for describing someone as a pervert, or having dirty behaviour.  This genre includes things that you would not want other people to be around when watching.  These shows can start at PG-13 but the hardcore ecchi stuff can go to a rated R level.  Sexual innuendos and behaviour are used, but to leave everything else to the mind of the audience.  In some cases, it's not bad.  Others, you might want to look into before watching, if you're fine with it.  But most of the time, Hollywood stuff is worse.
Examples: Fairy Tale, The Hentai Prince and the Stony Cat, Zero no Tsukaima

Fantasy: Pretty self-explanatory.  Monsters, witches, magic girls, alternate universes, demons, faeries, and the sort.  This genre is ofter paired with adventure or action.  A lot of mythology, folklore, and fairy tale concepts are used in this genre, although they usually have a twist.  A good example is in Fate/Zero, where the legendary King of Knights, King Arthur, is actually a girl.
Examples: Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They?, Inuyasha, Fate/Zero

Game: The anime is about a card game, or a similar game, containing monsters in it.  Players of the game face each other in battles, duels, or whatever else they may be called.  Usually I don't watch these because they're geared towards younger male audiences (elementary to pre-teens) and are poorly done.  Although, the card games that they come out with can be fun sometimes.  These usually are the worst things ever when watched in English dub.  *shivers in disgust*
Examples: Bakugan, Yu-Gi-Oh! (Any of them), Cardfight!! Vangaurd

Harem: The main character is surrounded by people of the opposite gender.  Usually three or more.  The protagonist is usually a boy that is either short, shy, not outgoing, or not well spoken, but somehow has a flock of girls following around.  Sometimes they all try to get his attention, or sometimes they need him for something important (The Comic Artist and His Assistants). Really, I have no idea how this works.
In addition to this, the group of girls usually carry their own stereotypes.  They include:
-A main girl that actually ends up with the main character.
-Two girls that are the biggest rivals and often lose to the others because they are fighting each other.
-A Kuudere of some sort (see my post on the 'deres)
-A Deredere, which is a sweet girl through and through
-A Loli (more on this in the next Guide to Anime post)
-A Tsundere
-The Childhood Friend
And there are actually more, but you get the point.
Harem anime are usually associated with ecchi and romantic comedy.
Examples: If Her Flag Breaks, The Comic Artist and His Assistants, Rosario Vampire

Horror: I know, this is already a well known genre.  I just should say that when it comes to anime, horror is not very scary.  Horror anime typically tend to be more gruesome than fear-inducing.  Some horrors are actually not scary at all, just a little gory.  Come to think of it, I have watched horror anime that aren't even as gory or violent as the Lord of the Rings.
Horror anime are rarely disappointing.  They usually have a very good plot line, and are developed in clever ways that rival psychological anime.  Just stay away from Highschool of the Dead.  It's horror, but completely fanservice...
If you want to go full force into the brutality of horror, the worst I have seen is Corpse Party: Tortured Souls.  It could potentially make people vomit, so don't watch if you're prone to that.  Seriously, that thing is the most graphic anime I've ever watched.
Examples: Corpse Party: Tortured Souls, Mirai Nikki, Another

Josei: Josei meaning "woman".  This one isn't as common.  The intended audience is aimed at 18-40 year old females.  These anime are usually more mature, and about romance.  Not really much to say.  It's just out there.
Examples: Chihayafuru, Loveless, Eden of the East (not quite sure about this one, but that's the official genre, and it's popular, so I'm putting it there)

Magic: Used with fantasy a ton.  Of course, magic is used.  They can be used in charms, praying etc., but the biggest stereotype under the magic category is the kid-orientated magic girl anime (mahou shoujo).  These are usually girls who can be anywhere between 6th grade and high school where they live a double life between a student and a magical girl.  These anime are usually light hearted and attractive to young girls.  However, the stereotype can be misleading and the anime may have some dark themes in them (Puella Magi Madoka Magica).  This anime sure puts up an excellent facade with the mahou shoujo look.
Examples: Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Fate/Zero, The Irregular at Magic Highschool

Mecha:  Robots.  Giant, overpowered, mountain levelling, human piloted, physics defy-ing robots.  Think of humans piloting Godzilla-sized robots at war, flying into space, shooting nuclear-generated lasers at each other... pew pew pew...
All jokes aside, mecha can either be very good, or very overrated.  They are completely unbelievable achievements in science, and very unrealistic.  The best one I've seen (and one of my favorites) is Code Geass.  It's main genre is not mecha, but it's definitely worth seeing.
Examples: Code Geass, Asura Cryin', Mobile Suit Gundam

Psychological: My favorite genre, next to horror.  These anime are extremely plot-orientated, and cleverly outlined.  I have so far never been disappointed with a psychological anime.
There are different interpretations of the psychological genre:
-Mystery based: These series are like a giant game of chess.  Mental geniuses making one move after the other, trying to outwit each other with the fate of many people in their hands.  Just watch one of these.  They're fantastic.  Examples: Code Geass, Death Note
-Mental instability: main character or someone goes insane.  Yanderes can be found in this genre.  Often more associated with horror than the mystery based psychological anime.  Examples: Another, Mirai Nikki

School: Used with drama, slice of life, and romance.   The plot usually goes in chronological order, and has it's own sets of stereotypes as seen in the previous Guide to Anime post.  This is usually a secondary genre, so the mood of the school setting depends heavily on the primary genre.  In Medaka Box, students have superpowers called abnormalities, so you can expect a building or two on campus that gets destroyed once in a while.  In Say "I Love You", the students are ordinary kids.  Nothing special.
Examples: Say "I Love You", My Little Monster, One Week Friends, Medaka Box

Seinen: The male counterpart genre of josei.  Aimed towards 18-40 year old males.  It is commonly said that it is violent and sexual, but that's not always the case.  Sometimes they have really good themes, and may even be romances (White Album).
Examples: Cowboy Bebop, Hellsing Ultimate, White Album, 5 Centimeters per Second

Shoujo and Shounen: Anime aimed at 7-18 year olds.  Shoujo is the genre directed at girls, and shounen is geared towards boys.  These two genres are the probably the biggest umbrella term there is for anime, all having subgenres of the ones listed above, with the exception of josei and seinen.  Shoujo anime usually have more themes of romance while Shounen have themes of adventure or action.
Examples of shoujo: Kaichou wa Maid-sama!, Pretty Cure, Ouran Host Club
Examples of shounen: Bleach, Free! Iwatobi Swim Club, Ao no Exorcist

Superpower: Not just simply having superpowers.  This means having way more power than super heroes have in American movies.  These guys make the Hulk look like he needs to do more weight training.  Be prepared for tonnes of explosions, instant landscaping*coughdemolitioncough* and yelling unnecessarily while powering up or attacking.
Examples: Bleach, Naruto, One Piece, Dragonball Z

Vampire:  Of course, these anime have to do with vampires.  And like all other stories about vampires, they all have different strengths and weaknesses.  The thing with vampire anime is that the vampire usually ends up falling in love with another character and a lot of consensual biting to either restore or transfer powers takes place.  That's really the big difference between the well known vampires and anime vampires.
Examples: Rosario Vampire, Vampire Knight, Strike the Blood

And lastly, some things to stay clear of.  I'm not ashamed to write this or am trying to give ideas.  Remember, the title of this series is the beginner's guide to anime.  So, if you're new to this wonderful world, keep in mind that if you see these things, it's best that you stay away.
Hentai:  Anime porn.
Yuri: Girls that love girls.
Yaoi: Guys that love guys.

Remember, if you are unsure about an anime, look around for reviews and whatnot first.  Otherwise, have fun!

June Song of the Week 1

Prepare yourself for the weirdest song of the week yet.  I don't think there is anything I like that is weirder than this right now.
I found this a while ago on the trending videos of Youtube.  This a band called Babymetal; three Japanese teenage singers who sing metal/pop fusion.  Yes, metal and pop.  When I first heard it, I really didn't want to like it, but I ended up liking it...
By far this song has given me the most mixed feelings about music.  And culture, for that matter.

Just see for yourself...

Also, the Fine Bros did a Youtubers React episode to the music video:

To my math teacher

Where I live, final year high school math is divided into three levels: 30-2, 30-1, and 31.  30-2 is for students who do not need higher math for university, or simply would like that level of challenge.  30-1 is is the harder course, mandatory for students aiming to be doctors of lawyers.  Math 31 is calculus, essential for aspiring engineers and such.  Being the failure of an Asian I am, I naturally took math 30-2.  A good mark in 30-2 would look a lot better than a barely passing mark in 30-1 on my transcript, so I took the path that would suit me better (despite my parent's protest).

Now you must understand that there is a joke in my school that creates a social divide of -1 and -2 students (well, not quite a social divide, but I think you get the idea).  -2 is always referred to as the "not as smart class".  In some ways, I must agree.  However, I think it's more like the -2 class is less motivated to work.  Maybe it's because they feel like they can't accomplish as much because they are in a -2 class.  Or maybe it's because they simply don't care.  Whatever their reason, the majority of the -2 class I am currently in doesn't take the course seriously.  They joke around, talk while the teacher is teaching, and play against each other in various games on their phones.

My math teacher is a pretty patient guy.  Or maybe a better description is "extremely tolerant".  Most of my classmates clearly don't give a crap about math, and have barely done any work. 
My teacher has never taken anyone's cellphone away.  He's never vocalized his frustration to the lack of attention paid to the lesson, nor the lack of respect.  He's never yelled at any of us.  He's always kept his cool... but sometimes it doesn't work.  The other day, he stopped talking in the middle of a quiz review to try get a chatty group's attention... you know, the "silence-to-get-your-student's-attention" method.  It didn't really work that well.  He stood at the board for a good two minutes (yes, 120 seconds) before it quieted down a bit.  Even after that, he still had to interrupt and ask them if we were good to continue.  Of course, the automated response was given, he carried on, and the students continued chatting.

The poor guy needs a break.  He's not a bad teacher at all; I'm doing well in his class, fully understanding him.  If people would actually pay attention to him, they wouldn't think he is such a bad teacher.  I can't imagine how it is like being a teacher losing sleep over how your students might do on a provincial exam worth half their grade.

So to my extremely tolerant teacher: on behalf of my classmates, I apologize for their irresponsibility.  Your seemingly unending patience is greatly appreciated by at least me, if no one does.  Even though I hate the idea of graduating, I enjoyed working with you this year.