Naruto thoughts on recent episodes. Spoilers till 92.

I was just struck with the most evil little thought.

Naruto doesn't know about Kabuto yet, does he?

I mean, I've been taking it for granted that everybody knows because they keep talking about it. But Naruto still thinks Kabuto is that weakling genin who quit the exams. He has no idea.

Oh, poor thing. The shock's gonna be a bitch.

3 variations on an animated Naruto icon

x x

want, take, comment, have.

(no subject)

I have the full versions of 5 of the Naruto opening & ending theme songs. octopedingenue didn't know there was a full version of Viva Rock. Of course there is. ::tickles her:: There are of all the songs. And here you are! 1 English, 4 Japanese.

Favorites:

Akeboshi - Wind: (1st ending):
I love this song. The animation to this is still the most beautiful animation I've seen for any opening or closing in ANY anime. It's gorgeous, with amazing use of color and design. The song matches it well--- it's soft compared to later theme songs, but it fits the show in its own way. Interestingly, it's in English. With the accent and the instruments used, it almost sounds like reggea.

Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Haruka Kanata (2nd opening):
My most favorite of the Naruto theme songs, and my second favorite of the animations. This is a song I think everyone would probably like, whether they speak Japanese or not. You really don't have to understand what it's about to like it. A great song for driving with the volume turned up and engaging in acrobatic races with other cars when the chorus comes on, and then cussing at them like it was their fault. --- Also, this band has a pretty cool name.

Orange Range - Viva Rock Japanese Side (3rd ending theme):
This song amuses me, and the ending animation was my third favorite of the theme songs, with its funky marching and giant heads. And it's pretty flickering-photograph style images. Not usually into rap in any language, but I can take it if it's really silly, nonsensical, half-English, and has a singable chorus. And lots of drums and what sounds like the munchkins from The Wizard Of Oz.

Others:

Little By Little - Kanashimi wo Yasashisa Ni (3rd opening):
This had pretty good animation (I used it to make this icon, for instance), and an enjoyable, if not exactly memorable song. I liked the chorus.
And it was loads better than the second ending theme song, or the fourth opening or ending themes. None of which are on my list, you'll notice.

Hound Dogs - Rocks (1st Opening):
This sounds so 80s it's funny. It took me a long time to like this one, but eventually I did. The longer version helps considerably as it is much less annoying.

Two Mix

Did anyone else ever see the music video for "White Reflection" by Two Mix? The song was part of the Gundam Wing soundtrack, but the band's official music video had nothing to do with GW. It was, interestingly enough though, an anime-style animation. The music video, I mean.

I was just going through my vid collection saved on my harddrive and watched it again. I remember why I liked it so much. The plot of the video (I'm not sure how this connects to the lyrics because I don't speak Japanese, but I don't think it does really) is that the band members are going through some kind of writer's block (the music equivalent), and this sparkly blue fireball pixy thingy shows up outside their window. Naturally the band (consisting of the female singer and the male keyboard player), pack up backpacks and start chasing the sparkly blue fireball pixy thingy across the countryside. And they keep giving people apples, as payment for hitching a ride, or for fun, I'm not quite sure.

Looking at it again after a long time, I was very attuned to the timing of it. Which, considering it was professionally made for the band, was of course very very good. Everything was on the beat, and there was a lot of smooth motion that attracted the eye. Also, looks like the animators had a nice budget because the art itself is very pretty and detailed.

Anyway, I reccomend downloading it from Kazaa or something. I have no idea where one would get it (I don't know Two Mix's official website) besides there. But it's interesting to watch and very well-done.