Monday 8 January 2024

More Sad SZ News for the New Year

We're two years running for sad Sexy Zone news to start off the New Year. This is not a good trend. Unfortunately, this year I am here to talk about Kento leaving. 

I see a lot of fans who are incredibly shocked, upset, and clearly feel somewhat betrayed. I get it. You are allowed to be upset and feel whatever it is you're feeling (although please don't attack him for it). 

As for me, I'm... disappointed. Not at Kento, or any of the members, but for the group as a whole and what they "could have" been. When Marius left I was crushed. I still firmly believe 5nin SZ had so much potential as an idol group that could connect so much more with the international world. But I never faulted him for leaving.

Sexy Zone as four was also something with a lot of potential. Especially with "Chapter II" and the way they had been framing things since Marius left. So, it's just... disappointing, that once again, we'll have to see Sexy Zone rebuild themselves. And this time, I think it is truly from scratch. Even putting my bias aside, I think we can all agree on how much Kento's efforts put this group on the map. 

Monday 14 August 2023

Thoughts on Manga-Only Dazai [Bungo Stray Dogs]

(ex-posted from my tumblr)

Dumping more BSD-related thoughts onto here because I can’t get them out of my head. This time it’s purely about Dazai and how I personally think it’s really interesting how people view Dazai as a character in the general “Bungo Stray Dogs” universe and how he actually is portrayed as a character within the manga itself. This is all just word vomit btw and some free-flow thinking so sorry in advance if it doesn’t make sense and seems disjointed.

Dazai is an interesting character to me in the sense that… a large part of why I like him definitely comes from how Miyano Mamoru voiced him in the anime, and also because of all the backstory we get of him from the anime. So imagine my shock and confusion when I decided to read the manga (after S4) and realized none of that backstory is actually IN the manga. It actually made me pause and re-think a lot of Dazai’s character, as he is, in the manga, and whether I would have liked him as much without the extra info we get. I genuinely don’t think I would have. I’d certainly be curious about him, but I don’t think i would’ve necessarily liked him as much just as an individual character.

A manga-only reader actually know so little about Dazai. He really is just the mentor figure who appears to somehow know everything and shows up to drive the plot/motivate Atsushi, while also clearly hiding a million and one secrets in his trench coat. And manga-only readers do not get access those secrets.

Bungo Stray Dogs S5 Pacing Prediction

 (x-posted from my tumblr)

Okay. So, I have literally been sitting on this ALL DAY and decided I needed to make a post and shout this into the void to get out of my head. Also because I haven’t really seen anyone else float this idea before, and it’s either because my idea is clearly totally insane, or I’m a genius (lol jk, but seriously, I think it’s viable?)

First thing, this is basically my prediction of how the rest of the S5 eps are going to go and what manga chapters each ep will correlate with (and also how they might title the episodes):

EP1: The Strongest Man - ch78-80
EP2: The Answer to Everything - ch81-83
EP3: HERO VS CRIMINAL - ch84-87
EP4: HERO WAR, GANG WAR - ch88-91
EP5: Portway to the Sky P1 - ch92-94 (*currently*)
EP6: Portway to the Sky P2 - ch95-97
EP7: Portway to the Sky P3 - ch98-100
EP8: Wicked Realms Beyond Mankind - ch101-103
EP9: The Two Fuku’s - ch104
EP10: In the Small Room P1 - ch105-107
EP11: In the Small Room P2 - ch108-110

(chapters are based off how the chapters are counted in the tankobons, NOT the way the chapters are numbered when they are released monthly because Asagiri-sensei fucked up the numbering of the parts here and there with all the half chapters. Also if you count the pages - we’re going at about 100 pages of content per episode.)

Saturday 10 June 2023

[Album Review] Sexy Zone - Chapter II

It's been a really long time since I've done an album review, but I'm really excited to do this one. I absolutely loved The Highlight last year and in general have loved all of SZ's album's since XYZ=Repainting. Their music has just gotten so good year by year. As per usual - this is all just my personal opinion and I usually write my reviews free-flow (literally as I'm listening to the song) so it's really my fresh first impression. Hope folks enjoy!

Monday 20 February 2023

Sexy Zone 5pecial Trip Thoughts

I'm re-sharing my twitter thread here because twitter fucked up my thread, and then I realized, why am I even trying to write long-form thoughts on twitter when this place exists? So, just some random ramblings regarding the 5pecial Trip as well as general thoughts I have about 5nin Sexy Zone.

At first when I only saw the video length for the trip I thought "Only?" Knowing that they went on an overnight trip, I wanted the footage to be at least 2, if not 3 hours long. Especially remembering some of the other trips they've had, and the fact that this one will be their last. After watching it though, I realized we got just enough. There were photos of moments that we clearly weren't privy too (going to an onsen) and it was clear that they spent a lot longer talking and drinking in their room, but I think it's okay that they didn't show those parts. Ultimately this trip was for them, and it's a gift that they allowed us to see some of it. I think they deserve to have some moments that were just for them as well.

Credits to Wada-san for editing this trip so well though! Truly. I can't believe I could laugh so hard at the start and be crying so hard by the end and it all feels natural. I wasn't even really crying because I was sad, but purely because it was genuinely moving to hear their raw and honest thoughts and feelings at the very end. I think even the guys themselves had mentally prepared to wrap up the trip in their typical way, and to be shocked by their staff, it really allowed them to also let their own thoughts out organically. Honestly, the moment at the end felt a bit private, but I'm so grateful that they were willing to show us that. 

Of course, I already knew seeing Fuma cry was going to get to me, but it's really Marius' final thoughts that really got to me. Him admitting how hard it was for him, how he was actually trying to pretend everything was okay. As I said in my translation to "Sore de Ii yo" - I think Marius had probably been struggling for a long time, but to hear him say it was... it was touching. It was a true moment of vulnerability that as fans, we are almost never privy to from our idols (and I don't think we should be privy too honestly). 

It really is wild to imagine Marius life. To debut at eleven having moved from Germany to Japan. If there's any Johnny's I think I would really want to pick the brains of, it really is the Sexy Zone members, and Marius in particular. They were all so young, and their perspective on being an idol honestly must be quite different from I think even a lot of other Johnny's except maybe the HSJ members. 

What I love even more though is how the guys were able to be themselves throughout the rest of the trip. The dynamic of 5nin Sexy Zone really is something special, and I will truly miss this dynamic moving forward. It's like Arashi - they all bring out the best of each other, and they genuinely just seem to enjoy being around each other. I love how they were able to bring back old jokes and them writing "Desaiso" for Marius was such a classic older sibling/younger sibling thing to do, but also felt so right. I don't think writing an actual heartfelt message like "Thank you" or "We love you" would have hit the same as something like that.

I mean, in a lot of ways that message WAS meaningful. It really showed that some things can still stay the same. Sure, Marius can't perform with them, but they can still talk and meet up. Marius will still have them as brothers and he will still be their youngest brother. And we as fans just won't be privy to that relationship anymore.  

Marius and Kento used the word 運命 (unmei // destiny) to describe them coming together as Sexy Zone, but as a fan, I feel like Sexy Zone's journey and existence is 奇跡的 (kisekiteki // miraculous). They may have been brought together by fate, but what was created feels like a miracle. I like to think the world is in general, filled with good people. But all of them were truly lucky to be placed in Sexy Zone. All of them are so different, but they're all fundamentally so good, respectful, kind and open-minded. If things had been even slightly different, if they hadn't been so accepting of Marius and if he himself wasn't such a sweet kid, if Fuma or Kento hadn't been as able to shoulder responsibility as they both did, if Shori wasn't so steady, if Sou-chan wasn't by Marius' side, I don't think this group would have made it past the 3/2 split back in 2014/2015. Despite everything, the fact that I think they genuinely felt safe with each other, means a lot. That's honestly rare to find, especially at such a young age, in an environment like that.  

I think it's also meaningful that I got into Sexy Zone at this time in my life.

Arashi were great role models as a youth, and I needed them at the age I discovered them. Thirteen, confused, lonely. They made life seem straightforward and made me feel like eventually, everything would work out. I needed that then. I needed a sense that the future was stable. That if you worked hard, you would succeed, and then you would retire. As much as Arashi fans like to talk about how unpopular Arashi was, in a lot of ways their success and their trajectory was actually very linear. They started low, worked hard, and steadily worked their way up and up to become national idols and then they stayed their. But eventually, as I grew up... I think I began to realize that life actually wasn't like that. Eventually I realized I couldn't relate or seek the same guidance in Arashi as I did before. I had grown up - as the Arashi members had, but I didn't need adult mentors now, I needed mentors who were around the same age as me.

Enter Sexy Zone. I realize having a group like Sexy Zone, with all their ups and downs, trials and tribulations, setbacks and persistence - they help me feel better about facing life as it feels like it is to me now - Jeremy Beremy. Messy. Chaotic. For a group like Sexy Zone, I think they also very much started out with straightforward dreams and the idea that if they just worked hard and listened to the adults, everything would work out. But they didn't. Nothing did for them. They got split up, members went on hiatus, constant stops and starts. The conclusion that Sexy Zone came to, which they shared in "Timeless" was the realization that there is actually no right answer. All we can do is continue to face forward, take a step--in whatever direction that may be--support each other and try your best. That might even mean we take steps in different directions, that all our paths actually look completely different and criss-cross and wind in a tangled mess, but still we keep going with the surety that we're all still trying to get to the same place. 

It's inspiring for me to know Sexy Zone's journey, the journey of each of the individual members, and to also witness the specific way they have handled this moment. This separation, this change, and yet still present it as not a set back - but yet again, another opportunity. Just a change. Just a member walking down a different path, but still a member. 

Watching the 5pecial trip really gave me the closure I needed. I think it truly helped me to accept that while this is an ending, it's also a new beginning, and that's okay. Thank you for giving us this Sexy Zone. Thank you for letting us witness this. Thank you for handling things the way all of you did. 

I am truly thankful that I follow idols who have managed to be so respectful, thoughtful, and emotionally understanding. This experience has really solidified the fact that I will probably be a fan of these boys and follow them, just like Arashi, for as long as they will allow me to. 5人いつも応援します! 愛してる!


Wednesday 8 February 2023

Sexy Zone - Change the World [Eng Translation]

 (Translation Index: Here)

 

Sexy Zone - Change the World

 

彼の日の空にかざした手のひらのその向こう
あなたが笑うから
ぶつかってカタチ変わって 見つけた個性
ありふれた日々に意味があったんだ

His hand reached out to even beyond the sky on that day[1],
because you were smiling.
The individual personalities we discovered after clashing and changing our shapes.
shows there was meaning in those ordinary days.
モノクロ心 1116(いいいろ)に染めて 繋がったあの日から
わからなかった 転んでばっかで
カラフルな 花景色と 寄り添って 歩んで
きっと あなたは何も言わずに
'笑って泣いたんだ'
Since that day we became connected, dying our monochrome hearts beautiful colours (1116)[2],
knowing nothing, tripping over our feet constantly,
while walking through a colourful flower-lined path,
without having to say anything, of course,
"we laughed and we cried."
Hey! 想いよ届け Yeah!
夢に踊る
With you With you ほらおいで
何度も何度も挑むんだ
さあ!We go!
また踏み出そう Yeah!
忘れてたStep
Gift for you Gift for you もう笑って
あの日々に夢見てた 現在(いま)を
Hey! Let our thoughts reach you, yeah!
Dancing towards our dreams
with you with you[3], hey, come on,
fighting again and again.
Now! We go!
Stepping forth again, yeah!
Without forgetting those steps,
gift for you, gift for you, please smile,
The dream we saw that day are now the present. 
生まれた時代の中で
光探してほら、あなたに出会えた
「君らしく」その言葉で 心の糸解けて
絡まった想いが クリアになった
In this generation we were born in,
while looking for the light, hey, we were able to meet you.
With those words, "Just be yourself", the strings around our hearts became undone,
and our tangled thoughts became clear.
とにかくもう夢中で 重ねた10年 傷ついて傷つけて
背負い込んじゃって 投げ出したくて
咲かせた花たちはどこにあるのだろう?
夢のStage(場所)に何時か立つんだ
'枯れても咲いたんだ'
Being completely absorbed, 10 years have piled up, getting hurt and leaving wounds.
Being placed with burdens, wanting to throw it all away.
Where were the flowers that were supposed to bloom?
At what time will we stand on the stage (place) of our dreams?
"Even while withered, we bloomed." 
Hey! 想いよ届け Yeah!
夢に踊る
With you With you ほらおいで
何度も何度も挑むんだ
さあ!We go!
また踏み出そう Yeah!
忘れてたstep
Gift for you Gift for you もう笑って
あの日々に夢見てた 現在(いま)を
Hey! Let our thoughts reach you, yeah!
Dancing towards our dreams
with you with you, hey, come on,
fighting again and again.
Now! We go!
Stepping forth again, yeah!
Without forgetting those steps,
gift for you, gift for you, please smile,
The dream we saw that day are now the present. 
愛情降り注ぎ合った
目の前に広がる景色に
薔薇が咲いてた
Wow…Oh…
Drowning in feelings of love.
In the scenery spread before our very eyes
roses bloomed.
Wow...Oh...
信じた明日を Hey!
ボロボロになっても Yeah!
乗り越えよう
何度も何度も描くんだ
今なら間に合うRed carpet
Smile for you
登ってみせんだ
「頂上」
で咲き誇れ
本気で本気でこの愛を
未知なき道あるのみ
Change the world
With the future we believed in, hey!
Even if we become bruised and battered, yeah!
Let's overcome it,
Creating again and again.
If we go now we'll make it in time for the red carpet.
Smile for you.
At "the top"
we climbed just to see,
this fully blooming
love will, truly, truly, truly,
on this path, that is unknown no more[4],
Change the world.
Hey! 想いよ届け Yeah!
夢に踊る
With you With you ほらおいで
何度も何度も挑むんだ
さあ!We Go!
また踏み出そう Yeah!
忘れてたStep
Gift for you Gift for you もう笑って
あの日々に夢見てた 現在(いま)を
Hey! Let our thoughts reach you, yeah!
Dancing towards our dreams
with you with you, hey, come on,
fighting again and again.
Now! We go!
Stepping forth again, yeah!
Without forgetting those steps,
gift for you, gift for you, please smile,
The dream we saw that day are now the present. 

Monday 23 January 2023

[Translation] MORE 11.2022 - Nakajima Kento (Sekuzo to Iroha ni Hoheto)

MORE | Nakajima Kento

The ABC's with Sexy Zone[1]

Vol.37 - "Sa" | Sainou (Talent)


Between a natural genius and a self-made genius, I’m definitely the latter. I’ve come this far by building up my small seed of talent through hard work.