Song Saturday: J-Pop And J-Rock Music Block

This blog was originally published on Blogster August 2, 2013.

How's it going Xangans and Blogsterians? This week, I am going a slightly different route for Song Saturday here at Blogster. So, I chose to share some popular J-Pop and J-Rock music videos.

Most of these songs have been featured in Anime such as NANA, Jigoku Shojo (Hell Girl), Vampire Knight, and Death Note. I am unsure if Girugamesh ever had their song, "Volcano" featured in an Anime.

While watching the former music televsion network, IMF in 2006, the network introduced me to the J-Rock band's music video for their song, "Volcano."

IMF was abbreviated for the International Music Feed. It REALLY sucks that IMF no longer exists. It was a lot like the original MTV from the 1980's except it was a 24-hour international music televsion channel.

IMF was especially educational because viewers had the opportunity to learn about foreign entertainment, cultures, folklores, etc.

While sorting through my J-Pop and J-Rock music choices on YouTube, I struggled to find the Japanese music videos with English subtitles.

I constantly watched these music videos and wanted to share them on Blogster with the English subtitles. Then, everyone can undersand what they are saying.

Here's some Japanese Music Trivia for you:

1) Olivia Lufkin's music has been used in both Anime and Japanese Dramas (J-Drama). Most of her songs were on the soundtrack to the Anime, NANA. Olivia's voice was also dubbed into the Anime for the character, Layla Serizawa.

NANA is a Josei (Womens) Anime about romance and rival J-Rock bands. If you ever have the chance, I recommend watching it.

Olivia Lufkin "A Little Pain" Olivia Inspi' Reira [Trapnest] (2006)

 

2) Mamiko Noto is not only a singer, but also a voice actress. In fact, she has done the Japanese voice for the protagoniat Ai Enma in the Shojo Supernatural Horror Mystery Anime, Jigoku Shojo (Hell Girl).

I have watched all 3 seasons of the Anime and Mamiko normally did the ending theme songs for the Hell Girl franchise.

In fact, this music video for her song, "Karinui" (Basting) was the original ending theme song for the Anime and has the Ai Enma doll.

In a sense, Mamiko Noto's giving a nod to the protagonist she voiced in Hell Girl. Damn, is that doll creepy!

Mamiko Noto "Karinui" Hell Girl Soundtrack {2005}

3) Kanon Wakeshima's songs were used as ending themes for the Shojo Horror Action Anime franchise, Vampire Knight. "Suna No Oshiro" (Sand Castle) was featured as the ending theme song for Vampire Knight: Guilty.

Kanon Wakeshima "Suna No Oshiro" Vampire Knight: Guilty Soundtrack {2008}

4) I think the Japanese Rock band, Nightmare is famous for being used in the Shonen Supernatural Thriller Mystery Anime, Death Note.

During Season 1, "The World" was Death Note's original opening theme song. All the while, "Alumina" was the ending theme song. I ALWAYS favored Nightmare's song, "Alumina" over "The World."

Nightmare "Alumina" Single {2006}

5) When I originally saw this J-Rock band, Girugamesh on TV with their music video, "Volcano," I remember how they really blew me away.

BTW: Girugamesh is the Japanese romanization for the ancient Sumerian king/demigod, Gilgamesh.

Girugamesh "Volcano" DVD Single {2007}

So, this concludes my J-Pop and J-Rock Music Block for Song Saturday.

What are your thoughts about these Japanese Rock bands and singers? Let me know what you think in the comments section below!