The HAS Video Library version 1.000b has been set up. The librarian Michael Giovinco is now compiling the list of tapes. (Approximately 200) The list of tapes will be up on this web site for the convenience of the club members.
--
The HAS has now negotiated a discount option with Tokyo Kid and Anime Crash
near Harvard Square for 10% discount on Anime items and tapes. You must
have the new Preferred Member Card and a picture ID for this service. See
the section of the new Preferred Member Status for more info.
--
This year, due to the creation of our video library and more connection
with the local anime resource, as well as the need to further the club as
a whole and provide more service to you anime lovers, we adopted the
system of Preferred Membership. To sign up, come to one of the showings
with 5 dollar donation, and we will provide you with a preferred
membership card as well as the list of available tapes in the club.
--
Quoting my roomate, it is in general too synthesized, too cheezy. Why
would one be interested in anime music, if the music is not spatacular or
special in and of itself, like John Williams.
Of course, people who loves the Miyazaki films will be likely to agree
that the musics in Laputa, Nausicca, and Kiki has a breadth and delicacy
not unlike any great orchastral piece, while the music of Orange Road and
Bubble Gum Crisis features some real contemporary pop singers. If you like
Zard, for example, you may buy the soundtrack of Miason Ikkoku. . .
Yet I believe the value of anime soundtrack beyond it being enjoyable
sounds, although the music itself is important for obvious reasons. First
of all, anime soundtracks receive the same attention in Japan as the
soundtrack of a hit movie in the US. The musicians, and their "sound
graphics", often make the music an art independent of the animation.
Second, the anime musics are inevitably programmed music-- music that
exist for purpose other then being pure music. As a result, they are
generally great mood musics. I love the Miyu soundtrack late at night when
I work on my paper. Video Girl Ai is great during those times you wish you
just have a girl/boy friend. The fact that I don't understand a word makes
this purpose even better.
And there are times when I wish I understand the words. . . And I am
getting better at it. Since the songs inevitably feature the same words
(kokoro-heart, namida-tear, kanasi-sadness. . .etc), it makes for easy
but fun listening practice for Japanese student of all levels. I just
borrowed Zard from my friend for the first time, and god, I feel like I
have heard it some where.
And finally, perhaps the most direct reason to an anime fan, is the
convience aspect. We are too busy to eat, so we have McDee. We are too
busy to write letters, so we have phone. We are too busy to play D&D, so
we play magic (my theory). Now, we may not have all the time in the world
to watch our favorite anime over and over, but we can get the same thrill,
at a somewhat less intense level, by listening to those sound tracks. If
you have Macross Plus, Video Girl Ai, or Oh! My Goddess, then you know
what I mean. It is the fast solution in the world that is moving too fast.
The same thing applies for video game music. When I first finished
listening to Dragon Quest II and Final Fantasy III (VI), I felt as if I
spent days finishing the game. The end sequences flash by, and I get the
same rush of andrenaline. . .
So, I like my anime musics. I love playing them for those who likes anime.
And when someone askes my why, I guess I should ask,"Do you eat in
McDee?"
Please direct questions or comments to
Benjamin Liu
Big Discount
Preferred Member Status
Anime Trivia
Do you know. . .
Essay: Anime Music/ Video Game Music
Some ask me-- Why anime music? More ask me-- Why game music