This is the turning point of the whole Naoki-Kotoko-Keita love triangle. Kotoko couldn’t bear being mistreated by her cold husband anymore, not when Keita is treating her ever so kindly. Thus, she decided to end everything, and in her confused state of mind, she ends up at her friend’s apartment and spent the rest of her evening drowning in tears and alcohol. Too bad, Naoki the genius has just discovered what was it that made him irritated at Kotoko for days.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Before anything else, I’d like to mention something I didn’t include in the summary: the engagement of Kin-chan and Chris. I know it’s prolly important to many Itazura na Kiss viewers, but I thought I’d rather focus on Kotoko’s story in this episode.

Ahhh.. (that’s a sigh of relief). Finally, this arc is finished. Nao did take a long time figuring out why he’s so damn irritated at Kotoko, did he not? He’s jealous! On the other hand, I wish he’s done something really better for Kotoko (to show his affections), other than confronting Keita in the cafeteria. I would have liked it more if Kotoko indeed eloped with Keita and Nao does something crazy, outrageous, or so unlike him to win her back. You know, like those in the Judith McNaught novels…NO I DO NOT READ HER NOVELS.

After this, I guess the story will focus more on Kotoko’s life as a nursing student. I wonder if it’ll turn out just as exciting, though I expect to have a good laugh, since our protagonist is such a klutz.

6 more episodes, right?

Random Screenshots:

Takashi finds himself a new stalker: a little lonely fox who has a pile of rocks for a mother and a pretty hat which used to belong to a human. Their first encounter was in the forest, when he was being bullied by two average-looking earth creatures and Takashi jumped out of nowhere to save him. From that day onwards, the little fox followed him around until one day, he received a medicine which granted him a human form. Leaving the forest, the fox enters the city to look for his savior.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

What a delayed post!!! >_<

Hmm.. Takashi looks different. Has he gotten older? New haircut perhaps?

The story is very short so I can’t help but feel slightly disappointed. What’s the deal with the little fox’s remark about Takashi having fake smiles in front of his friends? I wonder if that’s true. It’s bothering me.

Next, Takashi’s strength. In this episode, his bodyguard Nyanko didn’t have to interfere when he engaged the average-looking bullies in a fistfight. I wonder if his physical strength (vs spirits) comes from his spiritual power. Is he equally powerful if he fights a human? Think about it. Reiko does the same thing: she used brute strength to bend the spirits to her will.

Will Takashi ever write a name in the Book of Friends? It’s kinda boring if all he does is release them.

Random Screenshots:

Truth/Kaze no Mukuo e is Arashi’s 23rd single. Truth is the theme song of Satoshi Ohno’s ongoing drama Maou. I recommend both the single and the drama. [Download links after the cut].

Title: Truth/Kaze no Mukuo e
Release Date: 08/20/2008
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 Truth
02 Kaze no Mukou e
03 Smile
04 Truth (Instrumental)
05 Kaze no Mukou e (Instrumental)
06 Smile (Instrumental)

*By default, instrumental versions are not uploaded unless requested.

Please report if links are broken. Send me an e-mail @ makkun06@gmail.com OR leave a comment. Thanks!

Keita volunteers to be Kotoko’s partner in their Venipuncture class. Kotoko, who’s terrified in needles and practically bad at everything, took the entire afternoon trying to draw a tube of blood from her partner. When at first Keita seems to despise and mock her poor abilities, he suddenly becomes the next-door kind of guy who makes every one, including Kotoko, feel at ease. He encouraged her to try better. This, among other things, did not escape Nao who silently observes from a distance, and in response to all that, he became colder and more indifferent to Kotoko. Then one night, Keita decided to steal her from him.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Alright, a love triangle in full blossom! I wish Keita is a doctor trainee too so he can really match Naoki. I really like Keita more in this episode, but I feel sorry for Kotoko for receiving Naoki’s wrath because of his jealousy. I wonder if Kotoko will succumb to adultery… Nah, I’m betting she won’t. Still, I can’t deny that this is the most exciting arc in the show. It’s about time the tables are turned.

Regarding Keita, even though I prefer him for Kotoko, I don’t think he really likes Kotoko. During Mrs. Irie’s interview with the students, it was mentioned that he’s like a knight in shining armor, dependable and trustworthy. I think, because he’s like that, he felt it appropriate to protect Kotoko, who, in his eyes, is being mistreated by her own husband. He might have mistaken that feeling for love or likeness. I see a lot of people like that IRL, and it’s easy to disguise pity for affection. Though personally-speaking, that’s probably the worst kind of love.

Random Screenshots:

Tsubame is a swallow (bird) spirit who was left behind by her parents when their nest fell of a tree and was stained with human scent. When her siblings died and only she was left, she became a spirit and wandered in the village of Futaba. Hidden beneath the bushes, she was mistaken for a stray dog by a man named Taniozaki, and from that day onwards Tsubame consistently received a plate of food from him. The village was eventually buried by a water dam, so the humans moved away, leaving the spirits to dwell in their homes and sleep beneath the water. One hot summer day Takashi and his friends passed by the village, and without his knowledge Tsubame had possessed his body by climbing on to his back. Nyanko exorcised Takashi upon seeing her through a magical mirror. After the pleasantries Tsubame explained her actions; she climbed on to Takashi’s back in order to meet or see the man who had fed her in the old village. Tsubame started following Takashi everywhere like a stalker until our soft-hearted protagonist finally gave in and decided to help her; the first Spirit who didn’t come to him because of the Book of Friends. Soon Takashi became attached to Tsubame, and even after letting her see Taniozaki, he didn’t feel he had actually fulfilled her wish, because the man could not see Tsubame. One night, through the help of Nyanko and another Youkai, Takashi joined the Futaba Festival of Spirits, wherein the prize is a yukata which will make any spirit who wears it become human for a night. Takashi won the yukata and he gave it to Tsubame. The following day he meets Taniozaki and the man confirmed that he did meet a girl in a blue yukata. As if to prove it he showed a picture to Takashi. And there, on the photo, was Taniozaki beside a shy, smiling human girl who used to be a bird. Takashi stared at it and began to cry.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST EPISODE SO FAR. I thought it was sad, but then it was also sweet… I really couldn’t explain it. ^^; At first I thought OMG it’s like Shutter (with Tsubame peeking from Takashi’s shoulder) but the story ended beautifully. I almost cried when Tsubame ran after Taniozaki and kept waving her hands and talking like a frantic fan who has finally seen her idol, but the man, being an ordinary human, kept walking past her as if she didn’t exist. I mean, if that were to happen to me (being ignored), I would have hated the person, but Tsubame wasn’t bothered by it. Everyday she kept a lookout for him on top of a tree (just like a bird) with Takashi sitting below watching her. And every time the man passes by she will cry and call out to him. It’s such a heart-wrenching scene I thought the killers in the RCBC robbery should see it to realize how inhumane they were. Okay, that’s a stretch.

I’m not really familiar with the Japanese Folklore, so I wonder if the stories of this show have a basis of some sort. I’m starting to get curious. Reading local folklore is fun. Maybe I’ll look it up sometime.

Going back to this episode, I’d also like to mention the way Takashi cared for Tsubame. That really made me fall in love with his character, and made me wish to meet someone like him. You’d think it’s because he’s always alone and lonely that he jumps at the first opportunity to do all those stunts in the hope of gaining a friend, even a spirit friend… but I’d like to think Takashi’s character as a selfless person, who’s just really there to help out and care for others. We need more real people like him, and every time I think about this sad little world of ours, I can’t help but accept the fact that in this day and age, there are very few people who are selfless. Watching Takashi makes me realize how selfish I am myself and the truth is, I’m like that most of the times.

So you see, this anime has a lot to offer, lots of lessons to learn. That’s why I still stand to my belief that this has got to be the winner of the Summer season.

Random Screenshots:

Old album, yes I know, it’s just that I can’t get Umbrella out of my head, and I thought you guys might want to hear it also. Younha’s voice here is so strong, and a bit haunting! I’ve seen her live performances of Umbrella, and she never ever ceased to amaze me. Can’t wait for her succeeding albums or singles, either Japanese or Korean. Anyway, I haven’t finished listening to the rest of the songs in this album so I can’t make final recommendations yet, but do check out Umbrella. Kekeke. And oh, sorry for the slow updates on anime. My attention’s diverted to something else at the moment. [Download links after the cut].

Album Title: Pieces, Part One
Release Date: 04/17/08
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 Be
02 Breakdown
03 Seoul [Short Piece]
04 One [Ft Jisun Of Loveholic]
05 Pencil Sharpener [Ft Kebee]
06 Girl [Ft Jinbo]
07 Slave [Short Piece] [Ft. David Lee]
08 The Future [Ft Yankie]
09 20 Fingers [Short Piece] [Ft. DJ Friz]
10 Ignition [Ft Na Yoon Kwon]
11 Eight By Eight [Ft Dynamic Duo + Dok2 + Double K + TBNY]
12 Décalcomanie [Mithra Solo]
13 Icarus Walks [Short Piece]
14 The Falling Flower [Tablo Solo]
15 Umbrella [Ft Younha]
16 Your Pieces [Ft Jisun]
17 Breakdown [Supreme Mix]
18 One [Planet Shiver Remix]

Please report if links are broken. Send me an e-mail @ makkun06@gmail.com OR leave a comment. Thanks!

Big Bang is one of the better performers/musicians in the Korean Music industry. I think I mentioned this before, but I don’t like Hiphop very much, but Big Bang is another exception. It helps that they are a group of cute guys, especially T.O.P. Kyaa! [Download links after the cut].

Mini-Album Title:
Release Date: 08/08/2008
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 Intro (by G-dragon)
02 Haru Haru (by G-dragon)
03 Heaven (by G-dragon)
04 Nice Person (by T.O.P)
05 Lady (by G-dragon)
06 Oh My Friend ft.No Brain (by G-Dragon)

Please report if links are broken. Send me an e-mail @ makkun06@gmail.com OR leave a comment. Thanks!

Continuing from this post, here are the remaining singles of YUI for your listening pleasure. As usual, the files are in RAR format. Do take note that I have already uploaded her two latest singles Namidairo and Summer Song, so I see no point in including them here. Her albums From Me to You and Can’t Buy My Love will follow, as I promised previously. My favorite single among the four is CHE.R.RY. [Download links after the cut].

Single Title: Rolling Star
Release Date: 01/17/2007
Cover:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 Rolling Star
02 Winter Hot Music
03 I Remember You ~Yui Acoustic Version~
04 Rolling Star ~Instrumental~

[ Download Rolling Star ]

Single Title: CHE.R.RY
Release Date: 03/07/2007
Cover:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 CHE.R.RY
02 Driving Today
03 Rolling Star ~Yui Acoustic Version~
04 CHE.R.RY ~Instrumental~

[ Download CHE.R.RY ]

Single Title: My Generation / Understand
Release Date: 06/13/2007
Cover:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 My Generation
02 Understand
03 CHE.R.RY ~Yui Acoustic Version~
04 My Generation ~Instrumental~

[ Download My Generation / Understand ]

Single Title: Love & Truth
Release Date: 09/29/2007
Cover:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 Love & Truth
02 Jam
03 My Generation ~Yui’s Acoustic Version~
04 Love & Truth ~Instrumental~

[ Download Love & Truth ]

Please report if links are broken. Send me an e-mail @ makkun06@gmail.com OR leave a comment. Thanks!

It’s Kotoko’s first day as a nursing student. She meets new friends, and spends her days with them stalking her husband Irie Naoki. That, or practicing rolling bandages and taking blood pressure. One night her friends coerced her into setting up a date for the Medical and Nursing students. Nao, quite irritated by her betrayal, engages himself in cheerful conversations with Kotoko’s female classmates. Kotoko, driven by jealousy, drowns herself with alcohol, angry at herself and at Keita who appears to enjoy tormenting her by mocking her about her carelessness in their practicals. The following day Nao discovers Kotoko practicing with Kei, and their sudden, innocent closeness begins to eat at him.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Switching Majors, that’s one thing I did not consider - or even thought about - back in College. It’s not because I loved my Major… I just didn’t want to leave my comfort zone, and I still can’t leave, even now that I’ve become a professional myself. I admit I’m still insecure, always wary of things I’m not used to, like dropping everything and starting anew. There are better opportunities out there, I’m sure, and I would love to go but there’s that comfort zone stopping me. Kotoko, however, switched Majors even if she’s already a senior student, and despite knowing she’s not smart at all, she gambled and took the risks, and for that, I respect her character very much. Sometimes I think it’s not fair for her to sacrifice a lot, while Nao is just being himself - cold and ruthless and forcing her to bend to his will. Still, there’s the fact that he married her and chose to become a doctor because Kotoko thought he’d be best as one… Anyway, he should give her a break sometimes. Like in this episode. He should have agreed to meet her friends, instead of making her jealous, intentional or not. Between the two of them, Kotoko is the one who’s more mature and who values their relationship more. And I still can’t forget how afraid he was when he almost believed Kotoko was pregnant.

Moving on, I think Keita is a better competition for Kotoko’s heart than Kin-chan. Well, for starters, he looks better.. long hair and all, and he looks tough. I believe Kotoko will have a good time with him constantly around… who knows? He might teach Kotoko a thing or two and she’ll become as competitive as he is. Also, Kotoko needs an ego boost, it has always been Nao who’s surrounded by girls. I think it’s about time for Nao to realize that despite being married to her, Kotoko is still a boy magnet.

Random Screenshots:

Mr. Jed requested for more YUI songs, thus this post. I’ve decided to start with her singles, from oldest to newest (including her indie single! YAY!). Only 6 Singles for now because I’m still trying to locate the rest in my hard drives (Damn the partitions). Her two other albums which I haven’t uploaded yet will follow. The files are in RAR format because I’m feeling a bit lazy today plus I have to attend dinner later. Enjoy yourselves!! By the way, in this set, my recommendations are: Tomorrow’s Way, Skyline, Help, It’s Happy Line, and Tokyo… wait, just grab all of ‘em!! AND OMG THIS IS MY 100TH POST!!! [Download links after the cut].

Single Title: It’s Happy Line (Indie)
Release Date: 12/24/2004
Cover:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 It’s Happy Line
02 I Know

[ Download It's Happy Line ]

Single Title: Feel my Soul
Release Date: 02/23/2005
Cover:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 Feel My Soul
02 Free Bird
03 Why Me
04 Feel My Soul (Instrumental)

[ Download Feel My Soul ]

Single Title: Tomorrow’s Way
Release Date: 06/22/2005
Cover:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 Tomorrow’s Way
02 Last Train
03 Feel My Soul (Acoustic Version)
04 Tomorrow’s Way (Instrumental)

[ Download Tomorrow’s Way ]

Single Title: Tokyo
Release Date: 01/18/2006
Cover:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 Tokyo
02 Help
03 Life ~Yui Acoustic Version~
04 Tokyo (Instrumental)

[ Download Tokyo ]

Single Title: Good-bye Days
Release Date: 06/14/2006
Cover:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 Good-bye Days
02 Skyline
03 It’s Happy Line
04 Good-bye days (Instrumental)

[ Download Good-bye Days ]

Single Title: I Remember You
Release Date: 09/20/2006
Cover:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Tracks:

01 I Remember You
02 Cloudy
03 Good-bye Days ～Yui Acoustic Version～
04 I Remember You ～Instrumental～

[ Download I Remember You ]

Please report if links are broken. Send me an e-mail @ makkun06@gmail.com OR leave a comment. Thanks!