クローズ ZERO - Crows Zero

I might like Japanese movies more than ever before. This weekend is dedicated to Japanese language - Japanese lessons, music, and of course movies. I came across a movie called クローズ ZERO  on youtube. Fortunately, someone is kind enough to upload a full movie both the first and its sequel.

 

Crows Zero is a film based on manga Crows by Hitoshi Takahami. Suzuran Senior High School for Boys, nickname "School of Crows", is the poorest achieving, most violent high school in the country. he students are called "crows" and they band together in factions, battling each other for influence and power. But they all share a common goal, one that has never been reached in the school's history: unification. No one faction has ever reigned supreme. Genji Takiya, a transfer student who attempts to take over Suzuran Boys High School and is mentored by old boy yakuza Katagiri as he faces off against rival Serizawa (IMDB). 

Well, besides the boys and violent, what I like most in the movie is that there are a lot of unification, loyalty, and respect. Even if it can be hard-earned, usually through a fight which society stands against. Strong bonds exist not because of money but because one choose to, out of respect and admiration to the other.

Watch Trailer here:

Awesome.

Isn't this beautiful? Very traditional. Respectful. Simply stunning!

 

Download

ONE OK ROCK

Another Japanese band that can't you possibly missed is ONE OK ROCK. I was first introduced to  one of the tracks "The Beginning" used as soundtrack of Rurouni Kenshin movie. Of all the three albums I downloaded, there isn't any track that I don't like. The most recent ones are even better.

The band's name, One Ok Rock, comes from "one o'clock", the time that the band used to practice on weekends. However, noticing that Japanese made no distinction between r's and l's, they changed "o'clock" to "o'crock" (or "o'krock"), which was then separated to become "ok rock" (Wikipedia).

I love the fact that they perfectly combine rock, emo, metal, and alternative into their own style music. There's even a hint of post-hardcore. Metal or alternative rock, by itself is too heavy. Combining rock makes it easier to listen to while still retaining the original style's distinctive character. I can still give a few more reasons why they have become my favorite in such a short time...First, they are just about my age. You have to admit, there aren't many young musicians who are able to establish their own unique style of music. Mostly, they would just go commercial. Exactly the way big record company directs them to do. Secondly, these guys are C-cccrazyyy! Full package of craziness right there: it's in their expression, their music, their attitude. Everything is unique and that draws me in :)

Well, that's enough hint I might have a little crush on the band members lol. Let's get you acquainted with their music.

8th Single - Deeper Deeper/ Nothing Helps [2013]

  

1.  Deeper Deeper
2. Nothing Helps
3. カサブタ

7th Single - The Beginning [2012]

1.  The Beginning
2. 欠落オートメーション
3. Notes'n'Words

5th Album - 残響リファレンス　Zankyo Reference

 

1. Coda
2. Lost and Found
3. アンサイズニア
4. NO SCARED
5. C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h.
6. Mr.現代Speaker
7. 世間知らずの宇宙飛行士
8. Re:make
9. Pierce
10. Let's take it someday
11. キミシダイ列車

NO SCARED

C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h.

「アンサイズニア」

「るろうに剣心」 Wallpaper

Here are a few desktop wallpapers of Rurouni Kenshin that I like. Very professional looking and not just ordinary anime.

るろうに剣心「1280 x 800 」 -  http://yoikodou.server-cowboy.net 

 

るろうに剣心「1688 x 1240 」Visit Konachan.com

るろうに剣心「1280 x 960 」  -  Tumblr.com

るろうに剣心「800 x 600 」 - http://www.animewallpaperhi.com

るろうに剣心 映画 : Rurouni Kenshin Movie 2012

I stopped studying Japanese for a few years since college days.  Too ashamed to get back and losing it all over again because there was and still is absolutely no chance to make use of it. Rurouni Kenshin (るろうに剣心) is the only story that always bring that fire back. My all-time favorite samurai anime is now being brought to life!

I was reluctant to watch at first, for fear of disappointment that it wouldn't come out as good. I was wrong. This is the only movie that best depict the life of Himura Kenshin, a wanderer formerly known as 'Hitokiri Battousai'. Of course, a 2-hour movie can't possibly covers Kenshin's whole transition through the 95 episodes and OVAs.  The movie only tells us encounter of Kenshin and Kaoru and opponent like Jin-e, although it managed to cover Kenshin's past as Battousai. This is as good as it gets. I still wish there will be more movies coming because the real highlight is when he fought against Shishio Makoto,  assassin of the shadow, and Yukishiro Enishi, Tomoe's (Kenshin's wife) younger brother. Buy from Amazon.

「るろうに剣心」オリジナル・サウンドトラック

Soundtrack is alright. Naoki Sato did a great job.There are several tracks that I really like like Track #12 けらくの夢  Track #13 飛天. Check it out and see for yourself >> Amazon.co.jp