Karakuri Babble is a daily column by the editors of i360.com, usually on topics tangentially related to anime and cosplay.

In the past we have endorsed many things; in the future we shall support many others.

As an inevitable concomitant to watching Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, I've got TSUJI Shion's "M/elody" stuck in my head. It's the ending theme, and it's some of the most unapologetic Jpop I've seen in a long time.

Watch it yourself:



(Try to ignore the fact that YouTube screws up the aspect ratio. I know, it's infuriating.)

I don't know. She seems like some kind of perfect idol, having sprung fully-formed from the head of Sony Music. Look at her, in that video. That smile, those gestures. Her barely-coordinated exuberant bounce back and forth. How could we not admire her?

It's nice seeing this sort of classic idol coming back into fashion, in this post-Ayu era. We went a long time without it -- the sort of gawky, charming, constantly smiling teenager who can sing into a microphone like she's the only person in the world. I think the last person who really registered like this was the early YAIDA Hitomi, and that was a long time ago.

words from chris, 2009-10-26 01:25:07, northern california