Heartful Kareshi Prologue

はーとふる彼氏 プロローグ

Company: Frontierworks
Based on: Game
Released: 2012.01.25
Official site: http://www.fwinc.co.jp/hatoful/


Heartful Kareshi is an otome game in which all they guys are doves. Yes, like actual doves. I still haven't played the game (shame on me). The outset of the game is that you somehow end up going to a school St. PigeoNation, where all the students are doves. This drama CD however only has the guys pigeons interacting with each other.

The CD starts when Shirogane Sakuya (Student council president, CV: Ishida Akira) hears about the '7 mysteries of St. PigeoNation'. He doesn't believe any of it but because he wants to know everything about "his" school, he orders his two underlings classmates Kawara Ryouta (CV: Asanuma Shintarou) and Oko San (CV: Wakamoto Norio) to go and investigate with him. Each following track deals with one of the 7 mysteries.

The first one is that "Iwamine-sensei appears in the school's infirmary". Considering that Iwamine Shuu (CV: Koyasu Takehito) is the school nurse that isn't really surprising. But to be fair Iwamine-sensei is incredibly scary.

The second one is that "the student council president his room is supposed to be connected to another world". A rumour that emerged because Sakuya installed a trap door that dumps any intruders, and most of all his half brother Sakazaki Yuuya (CV: Yusa Kouji), in the garbage dump.

The third one is that "if you scribble in a book in the library you will get cursed". This is actually just due to Fujishiro Nageki (CV: Saiga Mitsuki) being there, and that is all I will say about it. (Those who have played Nageki his route will probably understand).

The fourth one is once again in the infirmary, this time with the rumour "that there another menu in the infirmary". Turns out that Iwamine-sensei is testing out some not-yet-approved medicines. Once again, Iwamine-sensei his tendencies for strange (and possibly deadly) experiments is stunning.

The fifth mystery is the rumour about "a pool of blood in the teacher's toilet". Turns out that this is mostly Nanaki-sensei (CV: Nojima Hirofumi) being a klutz. Iwamine-sensei turns up again. I'll take this chance to say that I find it very amusing that Iwamine-sensei his theme music is from the Nutcracker ballet xD

The sixth mystery is the "Teke-teke" a monster that runs very fast and appears at the school grounds. When Oko runs off at high speed to find it you can already guess what the solution is...

The final mystery is some sort of cult that wreaks havoc on the school grounds at night. It turns out that it is only the astrology club that went off-rails a bit (they want to convert all the world to believe in roasting marshmallows. Kawara even begins a speech about that he believes that people should be free to choose whether they want to roast their marshmallows or not).

There is a small bonus track in which the seiyuu talk as doves, meaning they only make dove sounds, which is quite amusing. After that comes the free talk, which is of course abundant in puns about birds. The most amusing thing however is Wakamoto Norio saying that he tried to play Oko 'as cute as possible'. If there is anything that Oko doesn't sound like it is cute.

Speaking of Oko, he sounds exactly like Shining Saotome from Uta no Prince-sama (also voiced by Wakamoto-san) which amused me to no end.  But all the characters sounds amusing really. And after a while I really got the feeling I was listening to doves talking. The entire concept of this game is crack, and this drama CD is possibly even more crack.

But really, all the characters are quirky and lovable, and the entire CD was just so much fun. Something that I find amazing is that they originally announced a voice cast as an Aprils Fool joke, but that they have managed to get almost everyone they listen as the actual cast (Okamoto Nobuhiko was listed as the seiyuu for Kawara).


Conclusion:
This review has become more like a summary, but really, I had so much fun listening to this. A second drama CD will be released soon, and I think I really need to start playing this game now. I secretly hope that Higure Angel, the extra character for the plus version of the game, will also be included in the drama CD's. After all, they listed Sakurai as his potential seiyuu.

Superior

 シューピアリア

Company: Frontierworks
Based on: Manga
Released: 2007.03.21


Superior is a story about the hero Exa who travels with his companions to find the 'ideal land' by order of the prince. Exa his actual dream is to restore peace to the world so that monsters and humans can coexist by killing the Demon king, however he doesn't know that said demon king is actually female and has fallen in love with him.

The story starts with Ex (CV: Morikubou Shoutarou) and his companions Lakshri (CV: Morita Masakazu) Sheila (CV: Kuwashima Houko), Angelica (Kugimiya Rie) being summoned by prince Juno (CV: Saiga Mitsuki) to search for the 'ideal land' where monsters and humans are rumoured to live in peace.

And so they set off. The personalities of all the characters are a but off though. Lakshri is a perverted ore-sama, Sheila seems to be only interested in food and talks like a cat (with a lot of nya~), Angelica looks and sounds cute put is actually a very powerful mage. And they are followed around by the monster Okina, who looks like an old man with many arms coming out of his face and has fallen in love with Exa...

On their way to the 'ideal land' they come across a lot of problems, partly caused by their own actions, partly caused by the guardians Reek (CV: Hoshi Souichirou) and Jin (CV: Sugiyama Noriaki) who try to keep anyone from entering the Ideal Land. And then there is the 'copy demon queen' (CV: Kaida Yuuko) who was created to take the demon queen her place while she is away and her servant Kagami (CV: Koyasu Takehito) who also come to wreak havoc...

This drama CD was a lot more light-hearted than I expected. The beginning sounds serious, but after that it first takes a trip down the humour lane. Only near the end it becomes serious again. I'm not saying it is a bad thing though, especially Lakshri creates a lot of funny situations and conversations, but it is not what I expected from the cover and the description. (I have never read the manga, so I don't know what it is like)

In the cast talk they talk about what the 'perfect place' would be like. All kinds of interesting a ridiculous stuff is mentioned: A place where there are a lot of dogs and cats, where you can get drunk without forgetting things, where you can keep eating without getting fat, Where there is no need for money, Where Hoshi Souchichirou doesn't exist (he keeps interrupting Koyasu-sama), Where the trains are not overcrowded, that kind of stuff.


Conclusion:
I expected a much darker drama, but it was actually very light-hearted although there is a very serious plot going on in the background. The randomness was fun, but not very special. Lakshri and his idiot behaviour create for a lot of funny moments though.

Kannou Jikan 5: Thanatos no Kyoudai

感応時間5~タナトスの兄弟~

Company: Hituzigumo
Based on: Original
Released: 2011.08.12
Official Site: http://hituzigumo.com/lineup/gumo-0009



Kannou Jikan... I feel obliged to listen to it, yet every time I do I get annoyed with it more and more.

Again, for a short summary: the first Kannou Jikan was more of a relaxation hypnosis with a lot of double wording. The second one became an overdose of pervertedness, the third one took things so far over the top that it became uncomfortable. The fourth one was better on the wording, though it added a lot of perverseness again. And now we've reached part five...

As you can guess from the title Thanatos no kyoudai (the Thanatos siblings) this volume features two characters. Yes, just as I was wondering how they could possibly make the series even more evil, they introduce us to two characters at the same time. The setting is that each year around Obon (when spirits can visit this world) you are visited by two ghosts who want to "play" with you.

Yes, so, two characters. While technically not at the same time (I am refusing to use certain words on this blog, can you tell? xD) you are interacting with two characters. So weird, so weird. You interact with them in turns, and as if somewhat competing with each other they keep adding a little each time. Which is rather effective and makes me highly uncomfortable.

Also, the two of them saying -that- simultaneously was pure overkill.

The freetalk however, was hilarious. Apparently Yonaga Tsubasa and Saiga Mtsuki had a lot of fun recording this together. The best part however is when Yonaga remarks that it was weird to play the part of brothers (because Saiga-san is a woman) to which Saiga-san replies that she was convinced that Yonaga was a woman the first time she heard him, and that she now considers him "Yonaga gendered" (as opposed to male or female xD).



Conclusion:
Well, as expected, the series once again became more perverse. So only listen to it if you like that. Meanwhile, I seriously need to reconsider whether I am still going to listen to a possible vol.6...

Are you Alice? - Unbirthday scrap #002

Are you Alice? unbirthday scrap #002 : ××× ⇔ Alice?

Company: IM Label
Based on: Original.
Released: 2008.03.28
Official Site: http://imlabel.jp/alice/

In Are you Alice a male Alice wanders into wonderland and is subsequently involved in 'the game to kill the white rabbit'. Alice his story is told in three drama CDs - Drink me, Check Mate, and Call me- but there are several expansions to the story.

The unbirthday series is one of those expansions. Aptly named, each entry tells us about the lives these characters used to live before the main story started (or in some cases, the events prior to the story). While they are a sort of prologue it is best to listen to them after you've listened to the main story, as you're assumed to know various things.
This also means there may be slight spoilers ahead.

The second unbirthday scrap centers on Alice (the male one.  I'll use Alice Liddel when referring to the female one to avoid confusion).  This story starts with how the life of Alice (CV: Sakurai Takahiro) and Alice Liddel (CV: Nakahara Mai) would have been if they had met. It is confusing at first, but after a while it becomes clear that this is essentially the story that should have been Alice his reason for killing his sister.

While this fact becomes clear in the main story, it was never really told how or why, making this very interesting (if slightly confusing) to listen to. Chronologically this comes after unbirthday scrap #001 and right before the story starts, if not for the last few sentences (which show Alice and the Mad Hatter together) it would have lead right into it.

Trivia: while Saiga Mitsuki in both in the first unbirthday scrap and this one, the characters she portraits are completely unrelated.


Conclusion:
Like I said in the review of unbirthday scrap #001, it is a shame you can't listen in chronological order because that would leave you with more questions than answers. For those who know the series this is a very interesting story, although it doesn't really reveal anything new. Those who don't know Are you Alice? yet should listen the the main story first ;)

Are you Alice? - Unbirthday scrap #001

Are you Alice? unbirthday scrap #001 : Dyna → Cheshire Cat

Company: IM Label
Based on: Original.
Released: 2008.02.29
Official Site: http://imlabel.jp/alice/


In Are you Alice a male Alice wanders into wonderland and is subsequently involved in 'the game to kill the white rabbit'. Alice his story is told in three drama CDs - Drink me, Check Mate, and Call me- but there are several expansions to the story.

The unbirthday series is one of those expansions. Aptly named, each entry tells us about the lives these characters used to live before the main story started (or in some cases, the events prior to the story). While they are a sort of prologue it is best to listen to them after you've listened to the main story, as you're assumed to know various things.

This also means there may be slight spoilers ahead.

The first unbirthday scrap is, maybe a little surprisingly, about Dyna. Dyna his life before and with Alice Liddel (CV: Nakahara Mai), and how he becomes the Cheshire Cat (CV: Inoue Kazuhiko). While I was first surprised that Dyna is the first character to be featured, it does make sense. The events in this drama are chronologically some of the first things that happen.

While it mostly gives us Dyna/ the Cheshire Cat his background story, it also sheds some light on Alice Liddel her life, and how the Cheshire Cat found Alice? (CV: Sakurai Takahiro) when he was thrown away.

Hearing the background story for these characters really helps to understand certain actions within the main story, and adds an extra layer of emotion to some events. In this case, the (already charismatic) Cheshire Cat becomes even more lovable.


Conclusion:
 It is too bad that listening to the story in chronological order would be like someone filling you in on the gaps of story you don't know, but you'll want to listen to the main story again after listening to this. Only recommended for people who already know the series (or there will be too many things you don't understand) but if you do know the series this is a must.

葬儀屋リドル

Sougiya Riddle

Company: Square Enix x Frontierworks

Based on: Manga

Release date: 2011.04.27

Based on the manga of the same name, we're quite literally dropped in the middle of the story in this drama CD. Introduction of the story and characters takes place a little later when Sakura Hayato (CV: Sakurai Takahiro) explains -part of- the situation.

As it turns out he is loved by all things spiritual and ghosts frequently pesters him. One day while he is dealing with two female ghosts (CV:  Murata Tomosa and Takamoto Megumi) the 'undertaker' Riddle (CV: Yusa Kouji) suddenly appears before him. Riddle frees Hayato from the ghosts and offers him a contract but Hayato refuses. Only later when Hayato has been attacked by a vengeful spirit and is on the verge of death he reluctantly agrees. Thus Hayato now has to work as Riddle his assistant. This introduction of the story is very faithfull to the first chapter of the manga, almost word for word. The only difference is that Hayato tells it in a flashback here.

Continueing the story the two of them travel to the palace of the King of the afterworld, Faust (CV: Itou Mika) for a meeting. While there we meet the rest of the rather quirky cast. the accountant Blood (CV: Okiayu Ryoutarou) fellow undertakers Ruka and Ansem (CV: Paku Romi and Hirakawa Daisuke) Sharu and Jullian (CV: Fukuen Misato and Saiga Mitsuki) and Dante and Hiren (CV: Toriumi Kousuke and Konishi Katsuyuki). While everyone is going about being their quirky self Hayato accidentaly unleashes a chamber full of spirits that were waiting for their trial (whether to go to heaven or to hell) and thus everyone needs to find and capture them.

Despite having the word 'undertaker' in the title this is a very lighthearted and like I said quirky drama CD. Especially the characters with their weird habits and traits make this fun to listen to. No real knowledge of the manga is necessary, although a lot of characters are introduced in a rapid pace, and though there is little danger of not being able to tell them apart you can't help but to wonder what background stories you are missing.

The cast free talk is funny as well, everyone (even Murata-san who only did 'girl 1' xD) introduces themselves and says a few things. Apparently many people kept calling Riddle 'doriru' xD  Toriumi introduces himself as 'Dante Toriumi', Majima gets told off for not pronouncing his name clearly, Yonaga is accused of stripping, and Sakurai mixes his own name with that of his character. He also mentions that you an hear Yonaga-san his footsteps, I missed them but it is a nice listening challenge. If anyone hears them please tell me :)

Conclusion:

I really liked this one. I've never read the manga but this sparked an interest. There are a lot of famous seiyuu in this CD (Itou Miki even mentioned being nervous because of that, even though she has been in the field the longest of them all xD) so that should have enough people interested. I'm just here to tell you that it won't disappoint. Also, this is completely unrelated, but I liked the background music.