Ikimono-gakari (J-Pop)

Ikimono-gakari is a three piece pop-rock band that came onto the scene in Japan in 2007 after a few years performing on the street and releasing albums on independent labels. Kiyoe, the singer is female while the other two members are male. All three members participate in the writing of the music. (The other two members would sing occasionally as well back when they were indie, but only Kiyoe really sings now.)

Ikimono-gakari is a term used for a child who looks after the plants and animals that belong to the class. It's a good name for a band that is very playful but also makes very moving pop songs. Kiyoe is a very soulful singer. She does not have the greatest voice, but she makes up for it in terms of feeling and attitude. The first time I ever saw her (and the band) was during a New Years special where they seemed absolutely overwhelmed to meet the other artists in the show and seemed overjoyed to be allowed to participate. They are very grounded individuals, even now after 4 albums and a ton of hit singles.

They have been popular for a few years but seem on the verge of becoming huge stars. Their version of YELL during this year's Kohaku was a high point of the show and garnered them a lot of recognition.

Ikimono-gakari - Yell (Subtitled): Great example of their songs, a very moving ballad that captures the spirit of the younger people in Japan. The song is about saying (Yelling) goodbye as you move on to other things in your life, graduating (literally and figuratively) to new things.


Ikimono-gakari - Kimagure Romantic (Subtitled): Another great example of their songs with a very fun and upbeat song with a great video.

Ikimono-gakari keeps getting better and better. I highly recommend you check out this talented act as they continue on their way up and up.

Links
http://www.ikimonogakari.com/ - Official Site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikimonogakari - Wikipedia Site

Nodame Cantabile (Japanese Drama)

Nodame Cantabile is a very successful Japanese manga (and later anime) that was made into a very popular Japanese drama. There are some dramas that are almost iconic in nature to the foreigners (like me) who follow Japanese dramas and Nodame definitely falls into this category.

Nodame Cantabile is primarily a comedy / drama following the love story between two very different people set in the backdrop of a school for music in Japan. Chiaki is a serious, arrogant and impatient piano student who wishes to become a conductor. Megumi Noda (Noda Megumi = Nodame) is a piano student who wishes only to use her talent to become a kindergarten teacher. She also is eccentric, lazy and pretty strange.

They meet by accident (don't they always?) and Nodame quickly falls for Chiaki while he takes much longer to come around. All of this also occurs while Chiaki discovers a deeper love of music and begins conducting a student orchestra (of misfits) of which Nodame plays a large part.


The supporting cast is great (lots of funny characters) and the story is charming and draws you in despite being filled with silly moments. Takanaka Naoto is especially good as the eccentric lech / famous conductor Strausburg. (Takanaka is the bald man who is in the main character's dance class in Shall We Dance. He is a very respected actor in Japan and is his usual talented self here.) He is just great, he helps Chiaki and Nodame toward their goals at the same time he seemingly doesn't even care about anything except his pursuit of women and drink (and usually both).


The drama also has a great classical music soundtrack and there actually is a good deal of information about composers, their works, etc. I absolutely love the soundtrack and this show (no exaggeration) really helped me to form a much deeper appreciation for classical music than I ever have had before.

NODAME CANTABILE - THE MOVIE Trailer (2009)

The drama ran 10 episodes, and there were also 2 specials and a Movie (which i have yet to see). This should pretty much end the story which ran in the manga. Hopefully the movie ends differently because like many manga, the story ran past the main story arc which makes the later chapters seem almost like a coda. They can do more with the characters I believe.

This drama is the kind of thing that can only work in an asian drama, as US dramas tend to be too serious or funny, and have no middle ground. Japanese dramas can be almost slapstick, and yet can make you care deeply for the characters and what happens to them.



I HIGHLY recommend this drama. It has been subtitled by several great groups and you can probably find links for the episodes pretty easily (or email me and I will tell you where to find them).

Links
http://nodamecantabileresource.blogspot.com/ - Nodame Resource Page
http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Nodame_Cantabile - JDrama Wiki Page

Kana Nishino (J-Pop)

There are always times in the J-Pop scene where you can see the next generation of stars developing. This is one of those time and Kana Nishino is one of these people. (I am also very high on Tokoshinki, Juju, Shimizu Shota and I think Ikimonogakari is on the verge on being enormous A level stars). 1 Album and 7 Singles into her career, this young woman has developed an interesting style, clearly R&B influenced but not straying too far from mainstream J-Pop. Her sparkly personality and quirky sense of style and humor helps her pull it off. (Basically, she looks like someone out of an idol group, but has the sensibilities of a indy R&B artist.) She has quickly become a favorite of mine and I really look forward to her singles now. Her first cd was very good and I reccomend it highly. She was an english student before and her english is very good - unlike some J-Pop artists her english flows naturally and sounds great.


Kana Nishino - Motto. One of her latest singles (not on her first cd). Great song.


Kana Nishino - Dear. Also not on her first cd, great J-Pop song. Reminds me of something you'd get from Koda Kumi early in her career.

An artist like Kana Nishino is exciting as you can get in on the ground floor of what will probably be a very long and interesting career. She got a featured spot in the 60th Kouhaku with "Motto" this year and I would assume she will be a prominent part not only of that show but of the J-Pop scene for years to come.

http://www.nishinokana.com/ - Her Official Site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kana_Nishino - Wikipedia Page

Kohaku (New Year's Eve Red & White "Battle")

The Kohaku is a singing "competition" held every year in Japan on New Year's Eve between the best male and female artists in Japan. It's more an event than a competition, no one cares who wins (the actual naming of the winners always feels awkward) and anyone who is anyone in Japanese Music or TV is at the event. It is a huge deal, although it's ratings have fallen in recent years it still pulls in Super Bowl level ratings on New Years Eve! It's about 70% contemporary artists and about 30% enka (more traditional Japanese Music). It's a bit too long and boring at times, but it is a lot of fun. For someone like me who is a big J-Pop fan, the Kohaku is great. I get to see all my favorites, some of which (Kobukuro, Ayaka) are pretty much show staples now, and perform every year.

Think grammys but everyone came to perform and all the real stars came to watch, if everyone did a featured performance (dancers, etc.), with a ton of suprises. That's what the Kohaku is.

I thought this show was pretty good, the pacing was better than normal and there was a good mix of old and new. AKB48 has replaced Morning Musume as the idol group (they have 72 members all on stage at one time, just nuts) and Ayaka just KILLED. She was fantastic. I also though Ikimonogakari was just awesome. I really need to do a post about them soon. Don't bother look on youtube for clips - NHK hates youtube and doesn't allow posted clips, even though the show is over, they don't sell the show and there is 100% no downside to anyone wanting to see clips of the show after it is done.

I'll try to find some clips or pictures but this post may remain very barren unfortunately due to NHK being shortsided nimrods.

Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dhaku_Uta_Gassen - Wikipedia Page
http://www9.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/ - Official Site
http://www.criteriamusic.com/h/view/id-7523/%C2%AD-60th%20NHK%20Kohaku%20Uta%20Gassen%20Review.html - Great blow by blow review of the show, really gives you a feel of the scope.