Tsurune Character Songs Album Review
We had a lot of thoughts about these songs while working with the lyrics, so we decided to do a mini album review! Please enjoy listening to each songs as we reflect on the lyrics and composition~
Up Stairs
Mod Yumi: A very gentle, comforting song, as expected from a Minato/Seiya duet. The composers did an excellent job capturing the feeling of nostalgia; this somehow feels like a song I've known and loved for years. The lyrics are perfect--I love the references to the bridge scene from s1 ep10. The line "I had a place where my heart could relax" is so precious <3 Overall, I don't think it's the strongest song on the album, but it's definitely one of my top faves!
Mod Optimus Prime: A heartfelt way to start off the album! It's very sweet and mellow, which of course really fits the fact that, y'know, the song is about Minato and Seiya's relationship! It's more or less just a straight callback to all of season one, but it's really touching how (both literally and figuratively) they come together at the end there.
Crossover
Mod Yumi: This song is so excessively dramatic and I kinda love it?? It does NOT sound like a song that ties into a soothing, chill slice of life archery anime and I am here for it. But I'm also weak for synth horns; give me a cheesy overexuberant fake brass section and I'm sold. Bonus points for all of the archery references and unnecessarily homoerotic lyrics. (And special shoutout to Mod Optimus Prime, our resident FukuJun stan, for helping me with the color codes because I was completely lost lmao)
Mod Optimus Prime: Probably the character duo song with the most...attitude to it? And sass, which of course, fits these two incredibly troublesome boys. To me, it's almost like the two are having a back-and-forth with each other while also brazenly admitting to each other just how tangled up they are—admittedly a reoccurring theme for the duet songs, but that doesn't make it any less cute, I think!
Ari no Mama de
Mod Yumi: Very cute and wholesome, doesn't really do it for me in terms of composition though. I do think this is the most well-acted song on the album. Having heard both of these seiyuu sing as other characters (notably Suzuki Ryouta as Bisco from Sabikui Bisco and Yano Shougo as Mafuyu from Given), I was blown away by how different they both managed to sound! Changing your voice to that extent while singing is not an easy thing to do. I was also tickled by the fact that they both noticeably sang less well than I know they're both capable of singing, because it suited the characters better to do so. Listening to this song, you wouldn't think either of these singers are particularly talented, but that fact is proof in and of itself that they ARE talented. Mad respect for the skill displayed here!
Mod Optimus Prime: Unsurprisingly, sunshine boy Ryouhei and the other local cheery boy have an easygoing and slow duet! I can't really say too much aside from the fact that the lyrics are both just really cute and earnest—you can see Ryouhei's influence here, haha.
Growing Up
Mod Yumi: Very cute, very catchy! I enjoy this song a lot. As a side note, I find it interesting that besides Minato, Nanao is the only character to be featured in two songs. One of the things I like about Nanao is that he's characterized mainly through his relationships with other characters. Sometimes when we see this happening it's more to do with lazy character writing (and lbr, it usually happens with female characters). But in this case, it actually builds our understanding of the character, rather than just casting him into the side character role of 'only here to develop the MCs'. To me it's always felt like he's the most put-together of the team, watching over everyone else and giving them a nudge in the right direction, while blending in so effortlessly they don't suspect a thing, like the social chameleon he is. Oops, this just turned into me gushing about Tsurune character writing lol. The song's nice idk what else to tell ya
Mod Optimus Prime: Also yet another honest song—a rare thing for Kacchan! It's obviously about Kaito and Nanao's close friendship and the further development during season two, so it's fitting we also get to see more of Nanao's (somewhat hidden) stubborn side here. Not to meme here, but really shows how their relationship fits the, "the more things change, the more things stay the same," aka them supporting ("protecting") each other through thick and thin.
Gekkou
Mod Yumi: I'm not the biggest fan of the composition of this song. I can't put my finger on why, but the main melody isn't working for me (and doesn't work great for Asashin's voice either tbh). That said, the backing track lives rent free in my head, I'm OBSESSED. And I love the dreamy feel of the lyrics! Whereas the others feel more like a dialogue between the singers, this one feels like a poem. The ethereal quality of the music and the lyrics draws me back to Masa-san's introduction, when he was a cryptid/ghost (lmao) appearing in the dead of night to guide Minato back to archery
Mod Optimus Prime: I've only heard Asanuma Shintarou (Masaki's VA) sing in a higher register, so this was both surprising and pleasant—it's quite soothing to hear! It's also fitting that the only Real Adult™️ with bounds of experience compared to these young'uns gets a really poetic and dramatic song with, of course, lots of moon references.
Kyoumei
Mod Yumi: THIS IS THE BEST ONE. This song is a legit bop omg. Leave it to luck life to give us a character song that exceeds typical character songs! I also love the meaning of the lyrics; it almost feels like a new angle on the Shuu/Minato relationship in a way? Of course we know their history and their affectionate rivalry, but we don't really see either of them putting into words how they feel about each other (especially Shuu-- I had to laugh at the line "we didn't need mundane words"; like no dude we could actually use a few more words from you, given your track record of communicating approximately 7% of your thoughts smh). This song puts into words how much they mean to each other and how, despite their complicated history and rivalry, they still care about each other.
Mod Optimus Prime: Luck Life actually composed this song, which really shows in the style (that catchy guitar, anyone?)! I adore the constant references to "sounds"—while a bit cheesy and on those nose, of course, it fits these two to a T and calls back to that season one finale. Again, not that any of the songs are really subtle, but "We might be apart, but I believe we'll someday return / So we didn't need mundane words" really just sums up their unique friendship/rivalry. Also, love how the two only sing together at the end: really fits with the song's whole message/theme about the two being separated, but eventually reuniting! How sweet.
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Highlights of Masatomo Nakazawa from Yume Kuro game first anniversary live broadcast
His hair grew very fast within one month and he styled it in wavy pattern. He seemed pretty good looking that day. (So proud of my man, oh god!) 💖
Eye masks made him look like Kamen Rider hero as defined by the veteran seiyuu Eiji Takemoto.
While posing for a group photo with the cake, he made funny faces LOL
Eiji Takemoto grew fond of Masatomo Nakazawa for being so kind and helpful to him during the live. Takemoto, being the senior most seiyuu on set, seemed to struggle with new game feature terms, funny jokes made by younger people, and unpacking eye mask. Masatomo ensured everytime that senpai was comfortable and enjoying the fun. He assisted him, explained him in moments where Takemoto needed help. For the game presents corner, Masatomo became the casual negotiator to establish a 'deal' between Takemoto and the game producer. With his special help, Takemoto was able to persuade the game producer to accept his donated flashy suit jacket for the to be lucky winner of Yume Kuro upon 3000 gem stones or something.
Going back home, Takemoto tweeted mentioning Masatomo twice that he was very grateful to him for helping the 'obaachan' Takemoto for the day. He wants Masatomo to use that negotiating skill in the next Yume Kuro lives. He was highly impressed of Masatomo's gesture.
In the game, Masatomo voiced as Aoi and Takemoto voiced as Adel.
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Tsurune Audio Drama: A Shot of Color 7 Bow Friends of Years Past
No notes on this one I'm just happy crying at kirisaki middle school trio all having a chill time together like this h, i love these kids so much.
I know one of the subbed versions of the episode tl'ed bow friends to bow bros but I started from thefinalcinderella's tls way back before I got my own copies of the novels so I chose to use that instead.
Seiya: It was back in middle school, when we celebrated my entry into the starting line-up at Minato’s house…
Seiya, Minato, Shuu: Cheers!
Minato: Seiya, congrats on getting into the line-up!
Shuu: Congratulations, Takehaya-kun.
Seiya: Thanks, Minato. You too, Fujiwara-kun.
Minato: You worked really hard!
Seiya: I wanted to be in the starting line-up for our last match in middle school after all.
Minato: Now we can join official competitions together! We haven’t been in one since that time at the public tournament! That time felt great, so–
Minato: Ah, ahaha… …How about we start eating?
Seiya: …Sure.
Minato: How is it?
Seiya: Hm? It’s good.
Minato: You hear that, Shuu?
Shuu: What a relief…
Minato: Shuu made this takoyaki! I taught him how.
Shuu: I couldn’t make it as well as Minato does though.
Seiya: Oh, I see... Thank you, but Fujiwara-kun I didn’t really peg you as the type to like takoyaki.
Shuu: Back when we were being taught by Saionji-sensei, Minato brought over some takoyaki that he’d made, that was the first time I got to try it.
Minato: I remember him looking at it all fascinated and stuff even.
Shuu: Just recently I learned of at-home takoyaki makers when I came over to Minato’s house too.
Seiya: Wait, Minato, you had Shuu make takoyaki when it’s only his first time using the machine?
Minato: He said he wanted to try making some, so… Just know the first batch didn’t turn out too well.
Shuu: I wanted to try it by myself. It looks simple enough but it was actually difficult in practice.
Minato: You’re exaggerating… You just have to get used to it.
Seiya: I kind of understand what Fujiwara-kun means though. When I actually started doing kyudo it was completely different from just watching people do it. Once I got the hang of something, after that I’d start to notice things I couldn’t do that I didn’t catch before.
Shuu: Going forward with the bow from here, things might always feel like that.
Minato: Always, huh…
Minato: Back at the public tournament, there were a lot of archers that were around their 80s, weren’t there? Do you think those people have been doing kyudo this whole time?
Shuu: Archery is something you work on throughout your whole life, so for the years you spend competing there are probably times where you just rest too.
Seiya: There were probably people that met up with friends they did kyudo with in school who came together to do it again as well.
Minato: I’m sure they all wanted to do kyudo together again.
Shuu: It’s a curious thing, isn’t it?
Minato: I wonder if it’s the power of bow friendship…?
Shuu, Seiya: “Bow friendship”?
Minato: It’s a friendship strung together with the bow, so a ‘bow friendship’. If you’ve drawn your bow with someone once, even if you grow apart, I feel like it'll bring you back together again.
Shuu: I see. Since we’re bow friends, I was able to see you again, then I met Takehaya-kun too. And now we’re here eating takoyaki together. Is that what it means?
Minato: The three of us are bow friends!
Seiya: Then, since we’re bow friends, would you mind if I started calling you “Shuu”, Fujiwara-kun?
Shuu: Not at all, as long as you let me call you “Seiya” too.
Seiya: Of course.
Minato: Hehe~
Seiya: …What is it?
Minato: I’m just happy seeing you two get along.
Shuu: It isn’t as if we don’t get along though…
Seiya: Yeah.
Minato: I know that, but still. I’m happy about it.
Minato: So, once again, to bow friendship!
Shuu, Seiya: To bow friendship!
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Dessert de Otomate 2024 announcements roundup – Fuyuzono Sacrifice, Honey Vibes, Hakuoki Ibun: Berezinskii no Majo, more
From Gematsu
Idea Factory‘s Otomate brand announced new titles, updates on existing titles, and ports during its Dessert de Otomate 2024 event in Tokyo today.
Get the full roundup of announcements below.
New Titles
Fuyuzono Sacrifice
Platform: Switch
Genre: Otome romance visual novel
Tagline: A wish for a bride (sacrifice) in a frozen world.
Keywords: Heartrending Love, Western-Style Fantasy
Staff: Tsunekiyo Fujisawa (producer), Atori Shiina (director), Manuka Midou (character design), Sachi Arino (scenario writer)
Honey Vibes
Platform: Switch
Release Date: 2024
Genre: Otome romance visual novel
Tagline: In a tropical land where beasts (lust) and humans (reason) mesh, a hot and exciting love story awaits you.
Keywords: Beast Ears, Suits, and Three Factions
Staff: Kurage Ichi (character design), Yusuke Takahama (sound), Momoko Terashima (producer), Asami Saitou (director)
Hakuoki Ibun: Berezinskii no Majo
Platform: Switch
Genre: Otome dramatic visual novel
Tagline: “That” makes her both an angel and a demon.
Keywords: Rejuvenating Water, Hakuoki, Napoleon
Staff: Tsunekiyo Fujisawa (director), Sakigumi Shiki (character design), Kagero Usuba (guest designer)
Updates
Moeyo! Otome Doushi: Kayu Koigatari
Platform: Switch
Release Date: 2024
Genre: Otome romance visual novel
Keywords: Battle, Love Comedy, Manga
Staff: Tsunekiyo Fujisawa (producer), Chouko Tsuyuri (director), Ayu Nekoi (original design), Maro Sasaki (scenario), Ririka Yoshimura (scenario), and Satomi Nakayama (scenario)
Voice Cast: Shogo Sakata, Kazuki Ura, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, etc.
Official Website: otomate.jp
Trouble Magia: Wakeari Shoujo wa Mirai o Kachitoru Tame ni Ikoku no Mahou Gakkou e Ryougaku Shimasu
Platform: Switch
Genre: Magic academy visual novel full of trouble
Tagline: Girl meets boy in this adolescent tale of magic. Your year to seize the future is about to begin!
Keywords: Magic, Animals, Student Council
Staff: Suzunosuke (original design), Akira Natsuno (scenario writer), and Akira Ouse (director)
Voice Cast: Tomoaki Maeno, Atsushi Abe, Ryouta Oosaka, Yuuto Uemura, Kazuyuki Okitsu, etc.
Official Website: otomate.jp
Otomate Graffit: New Titles
Hiiro no Kakera Tamayori-hime Kitan: Omoi Iro no Kioku for Nintendo Switch
Platform: Switch
Release Date: June 20, 2024
Genre: Otome romance visual novel
Tagline: Destiny is with you once again…
Keyword: Swords, Guardians, Seals
Staff: Tsunekiyo Fujisawa (producer)
Voice Cast: Tomokazu Sugita, Kousuke Okano, Daisuke Namikawa, Daisuke Hirakawa, Hiroki Shimowada, Kazunori Nomiya, etc.
Official Website: otomate.jp
7’scarlet for Nintendo Switch
Platform: Switch
Release Date: 2024
Genre: Otome romance visual novel
Tagline: The truth of this town is illuminated by the moonlight.
Keyword: Mystery, Incidents
Staff: Chinatsu Kurahana (character design)
Voice Cast: Nobunaga Shimazaki, Tetsuya Kakihara, Showtaro Morikubo, Chiharu Sawashiro, Shinichiro Miki, etc.
Official Website: otomate.jp
Natsuzora no Monologue: Another Memory
Platform: Switch
Release Date: 2024
Genre: Summer-themed time loop visual novel
Tagline: We see “dreams” in the summer sky.
Staff: Ijou (director), Yuu Nishimura (scenario writer), Rokumaru (original design)
Voice Cast: Atsushi Abe, Naozumi Takahashi, Shinya Takahashi, Tsubasa Yonaga, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nobuhiko Okamoto, etc.
Official Website: otomate.jp
Altergear: New Titles
Hypnosis Mic: Alternative Rap Battle – 1st Period / Hypnosis Mic: Alternative Rap Battle – 2nd Period
Platform: Switch
Genre: Rhythm and visual novel game
Tagline: This time the battle of right and wrong comes to Nintendo Switch!
Keywords: Rhythm Game, Hypnosis Mic, Rap
Staff: Kazui (character design and original draft), Otomate, King Records (original work), Evil Line Records (original world)
Voice Cast: Subaru Kimura, Haruki Ishiya, Kouhei Amasaki, Shintarou Asanuma, Wataru Komada, Shinichiro Kamio, Yuusuke Shirai, Soma Saito, Yukihiro Nozuyama, Show Hayami, Ryuichi Kijima, Kento Itou, Ryota Iwasaki, Kengo Kawanishi, Takaya Kuroda, Shota Hayama, Yuki Sakakihara, Eiji Takeuchi, etc.
Official Website: otomate.jp
Altergear: Updates
Rashomon of Shinjuku
Platform: Switch
Release Date: August 8, 2024
Genre: A bakumatsu reincarnation story visual novel refreshed for the modern age.
Tagline: Sever the everlasting karma on the road to carnage.
Staff: Sonoe Kazenomiya (planning, original draft, producer, script), Kanna Natsumi (script), Karin Entertainment (work), Jirou Suzuki (character design)
Voice Cast: Hiromu Mineta, Yukari Shimotsuki, Junichi Yanagita, Kouji Okino, Kouhei Amasaki, Chikahiro Kobayashi, Sho Karino, Atsushi Abe, Kentaro Kumagai, Kenta Nobe, Rowa Kamiie, Takeo Otsuka, Yoshitaka Yamaya, etc.
Official Website: otomate.jp
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