Oujisama (warai) ~Oujisama to Niwa no Himegimi~

There won't be a newspost for last week because I simply can't find the time to write it, and I'm already 3 days late anyway, sorry about that. Meanwhile, I'm catching up on some older releases that still need to be reviewed.

王子様（笑）シリーズ　ドラマＣＤ ～王子様と二羽の姫君～

Company: Frontierworks

Based on: Fairytale

Released: 2012.04.19

Official Site: http://www.fwinc.co.jp/princewww

The 'Oujisama (warai)' series re-imagines various well know fairy tales. The stories are told from the perspective of the prince and in a rather hilarious way. This time it is the story from the Swam Lake (the ballet, yes that one) that gets a re-make.

 We first hear the prince from the swan lake (henceforth Hakuchou, CV: Yusa Kouji) vow his eternal love to an unknown princess, after that we switch to Sleeping Beauty (CV: Onosaka Masaya), the Emperor (CV: Okiayu Ryoutarou), and Rapunzel (CV: Ishida Akira) being summoned to a neighbouring country. None of them know why they are called, and the Emperor at first only complains about the situation. Turns out that Hakuchou his younger brother (henceforth: Otouto, CV: Takemoto Eiji) invited them because he needs their help with a problem.

ps: the main prince does have a name (Siegfried) but at the end Rapunzel declares he will be ‘Hakuchou’ (swan) from now on, so I’m using that name.

It just so happens that the princess Hakuchou claims is his ‘true love’ is not entirely human: she turns into a swan during the day. Otouto heard that the other princes have some experience in dealing with weird things and hopes that they can help him, none of them thinks that this is a problem at all, as long as they love each other.

Complications arise however, when two identical princesses show up soon after. To determine which one of them is the ‘real’ princess, Hakuchou decides to hold a contest. With quizzes, and weird tasks like limbo dancing. And this, as it turns out, has happened numerou times before. Hakuchou keeps getting engaged, and then holds a contest like this to test her love. Eventually Otouto can’t take it anymore, and drags one of the two princesses away (and promptly falls in love with her)...

Despite the title, I feel like the other princes feature more than the titular Hakuchou. The characters also comment on this in the zadankai track. Hakuchou is a pretty weak and character (both in physique and personality wise) so it is no wonder he is overshadowed by the other -more colourful- characters. I do think that he is an interesting addition to the mix though, as his actions give the rest the opportunity to create hilarious conversations.

As always, we have the Emperor lamenting the loss of his Kaguya-hime, and proclaiming that she is not an alien, Ibara explaining everything and everyone in RPG terms, and Rapunzel proclaiming that love and family are the most important things in the world. The princes from the other CD’s are referenced at different points in the story. Not to mention that at several points the fourth wall is smashed to pieces when various characters blatantly state that this is a drama CD series (with the most brilliant one being Rapunzel stating that this is the first time that he and the Emperor meet in ‘a proper drama CD’).

The zadankai track almost removes the fourth wall completely. In the beginning Otouto is incredibly happy about the fact that he is allowed to participate in the zadankai (because Takemoto-san always voices side characters he was never featured, except for the one time as Genie, when Aladdin orders him to get more drinks). After that however they switch to discussing how long the series will continue, whether there will be more reading CD’s and so on.

In the (long) freetalk everyone talks a bit about the recording, and the topic “something you can’t decide [on]”. It is pretty hilarious how almost everyone says they have problems deciding what to eat, or which restaurant to enter when they are with others. (Takemoto-san mentions not being able to choose whether he likes dogs or cats more, and Onosaka-san says he often can’t decide between two things while shopping and then ends up buying both). The best part was Onosaka-san complaining about having to record on his own again. His solution is that Takemoto-san should just be in every recording -because he has lots of free time anyway- so that the interaction with the other characters sounds better.

Conclusion:
The titular prince was a bit overshadowed by the rest of the characters, but the series is as good and funny as always so it doesn’t really matter. I loved that Takemoto-san has a more proactive role in this CD, instead of just being ‘the servant’ (although I missed the running joke where people mistake him for different roles).

Shiro Ari!!

  

白アリッッ

Company: Frontierworks
Based on: Manga
Released: 2012.01.25
Official Site: http://www.fwinc.co.jp/shiroari/


Shiro Ari!! is based on the manga of the same name, and mixes the characters Snow White and Alice in one story that has little to do with the original stories but is rather hilarious.

Snow White (CV: Kugimiya Rie) is seen as a demon child in her own world due to her red eyes and white hair. The fact that the animals always defend her when she is bullied by other kids don't really make things better either. Despite this she continues to believe that there are people in this world that are purely good.

In the beginning of the story the Mirror (CV: Terashima Takuma) takes her to Wonderland. Where Alice almost falls off a cliff due to a waysign being mirrored. She is saved by Alice (CV: Suzumura Kenichi). Although saved, he almost immediately pulls a gun on her thinking she is in league with the White Rabbit. After some complications he decides to take home, by knocking her unconscious and dragging here off.

Snow White regains her consciousness in the cafe run by the Mad Hatter (CV: Onosaka Masaya) and the March Hare (CV: Yusa Kouji). While Alice is still trying to hear out Alice they are attacked by the Jack of Hearts (who looks like a girl but is actually a guy, CV: Yonaga Tsubasa). And Snow White learns that Alice and the Red King have been fighting over who rules the country since hundreds of years.

While staying at Alice his house Snow White runs into the Cheshire Cat (CV: Morikubou Shoutarou), Who pulls a vanishing act when they run into Alice. Turns out that the Cheshire Cat was coming to pick up the weapon that Jack left. He makes a few more remarks about the Red King and Blue King (Alice) fighting and leaves.

And that is about as far as we get with the plot. The part after that switches into a sweets making contest. The next day the Dormouse (CV: Kaneda Tomoko) comes dropping in. Turns out she has a huge crush on Alice (and one hell of an annoying voice). Snow White, Jack, and the Dormouse end up making a sweet in Alice his image. The end results are of course... interesting.

The drama keeps pretty close to the chaos of the manga, although some scenes are slightly shorter or in a different order (mainly Snow White her flashbacks). This also causes one weird moment: In the manga Snow White comes crashing out of the sky, lands on Alice and in the process they have an accidental kiss. In the CD they skip this part, yet they do talk about it a bit later on.

The CD only covers the first few chapters, so the plot isn't very deep yet, but it would have been nice if we would have seen a bit more of it. Instead the plot is literally abandoned halfway though for the sweets contest. I suppose it does show more of Snow White her mindset, but to use half of the CD for it might have been a bit much.

This is the second series I know with a male Alice, and his personality is just as bad as the first one. In front of everyone Alice is the perfect nice guy, but he actually has an incredibly bad attitude - causing Snow White to call him "sadist guy" (he calls her bitch so I suppose they are even). Snow White her naivety can be a bit annoying, but together they make a balanced combo.

The one character I found incredibly annoying was the Dormouse. Of course she is intended to be annoying, but her voice makes my ears bleed. And when you listen to the cast comment you discover that Kaneda-san her actual voice isn't that much better either. It just annoys me to no end.

I had just one glaring problem with the CD; The cast. Not that the cast is bad, on the contrary they are good if you ask me. But I have become so used the cast of Are you Alice? that hearing anyone else as Alice/Hatter/Jack/Cheshire Cat just doesn't feel right to me. (the March Hare and Dormouse I'm less used to so there were less problems there). Especially hearing Morikubou Shoutarou -who is the White Rabbit in Are you Alice?- voice the Cheshire Cat caused my brain to short-circuit. This is just a personal problem though.


Conclusion:
The story seemed promising, until they just decided to shelve it for a sweets making contest. The characters are funny though (barring the annoying Dormouse) and the amount of hilarious chaos is what you would expect from a series set in wonderland. I do hope that they make another CD (with more plot) because in my opinion the CD is better than the manga: the manga is written slightly to chaotic for my taste.

Tales of Symphonia: Rodeo Ride Tour vol.2

テイルズ オブ シンフォニア 〜ロデオライド・ツアー〜  下巻

Company: Frontierworks
Based on: Game
Released: 2005.06.24



Rodeo Ride Tour is a story that takes place after the events of Tales of Symphonia, and centres on Sheena (CV: Okamura Akemi) and Zelos (CV: Onosaka Masaya). Due to Zelos his life possibly being in danger because he has become the taget of a terrorist organisation, the two of them travel around the world to avoid danger and possibly draw out the attackers.

Due to this story taking place after the events of Tales of Symphonia, it is of course best if you know the entire story before listening to this. There are also a few scenes from near the ending of the game (making me remember all of it and feel nostalgic).

This time the tracks are more related than in the first CD. The first track is about Zelos and Sheena saving a few girls that were about to be abducted and traded off (I forgot that Tales of isn't afraid of using themes like that) but the rest of the tracks are all related.

In the second and third track Zelos and Sheena visit Lloyd (CV: Konishi Katsuyuki) in Iselia. He is living there for a while with Colette (CV: Mizuki Nana) before they continue on their journey to collect exspheres, Colette is away for a few days though. The two spend the night at Lloyd his house, and Zelos teasingly reminds Sheena of the fact that she used to like Lloyd. When Sheena intends to stay a little longer however Zelos gets angry because they agreed to never stay longer than one night, and takes off on his own. Despite wanting to stay longer, Sheena does however follow him.

In the next three tracks Orochi tracks the two of them down to report thatthe terrorist organisation that was after Zelos his life has been dismantled and that there is no more need to travel around any more. Neither of them seems to be truly happy with the news though. However the story doesn't end there.

After Zelos has gone on ahead, Orochi tells Sheena that before being dismantled, a few members of the terrorist organisation escaped and kidnapped Seles, Zelos his younger sister. They threatened to kill her unless he would come alone to a specific place, and thus Zelos has gone after them. Zelos didn't want Sheena to know this, but now that she does know she of course goes after him.

The scenes with Lloyd were very interesting. It the game it is never explicitly said that Sheena likes Lloyd (though there are enough hints) so this was the first time that I really heard it confirmed. I liked the way they handled it though. It is clear that Sheena still likes Lloyd a bit but has already given up on the idea.

Zelos gets his moments in the spotlights when he goes to save Seles. Somehow he always gets a few good lines somewhere near the end. Although Sheena was the one to save the day. The end was very good as well, the final track starts exactly the same as when Zelos came to Mizuho in the first CD. However, this time when Sheena asks what he came to do he simply answers "I came to see you face". It looks like he became a little more honest ;)

The bonus track has Konishi-san hosting the radio show 'Tales Ring' one more time (they revived it for one more episode) with Onosaka-san and Okamura-san as guests. They tease him a bit about the fact that he wasn't in the first CD, to which he replies that 'he doesn't care because he got his part in the second half of the story'. They all together joke about Lloyd being mean because he is so nice to Sheena, not knowing how she felt xD


Conclusion:
Just like before this is a Sheena x Zelos festival, so only listen if you like/tolerate the pairing. I liked this CD a bit more than the first one, probably because the story was a bit more coherent. The scene with Sheena and Zelos in the rain from the first CD is still my favourite scene from this story though.

Tales of Symphonia: Rodeo Ride Tour vol.1

テイルズ オブ シンフォニア 〜ロデオライド・ツアー〜  上巻

Company: Frontier Works
Based on: Game
Released: 2005.05.25



Rodeo Ride Tour is a story that takes place after the events of Tales of Symphonia, and centres on Sheena (CV: Okamura Akemi) and Zelos (CV: Onosaka Masaya). Due to Zelos his life possibly being in danger because he has become the taget of a terrorist organisation, the two of them travel around the world to avoid danger and possibly draw out the attackers.

Due to this story taking place after the events of Tales of Symphonia, it is of course best if you know the entire story before listening to this.

The different tracks on the CD are loosely connected episodes in Sheena and Zelos their travels, and two short tracks in which Sheena tells about two different happenings in a narrative way. (one in which they buy rings while completely drunk, and one about a sunset. I especially liked the sunset one).

While the first few tracks have Sheena and Zelos act in their usual way, fifth track is very different. Sheena is down due to being poisoned during battle, and Zelos is taking care of her. This track shows a very different side of their relation to each other, and is one of the most beautiful scenes between them that I know of.

In the final 2 tracks the mood is lightened however. While visiting Altamira Amusement Park the two re-unite with Regal (CV: Ootsuka Akio), who tells them that the park isn't doing to well. And thus they come up with a plan to raise the popularity of the park: an action hero show with Regal as the hero...

As you can guess, this CD is a Sheena x Zelos festival. So if you're not a fan of the pairing there is no real point in listening to it. The story is ok, but mainly centres on the relationship between Sheena and Zelos and doesn't really add anything to the overall Tales of Symphonia story/world. If you are a fan this is definitely something for you though.

Tales of Symphonia: A Long Time Ago Vol.3

テイルズ オブ シンフォニア - A long time ago 第3巻

Company: Frontierworks
Based on: Game
Released: 2004.08.25


In total there are 3 volumes for A Long Time Ago, and each CD has two stories that deal with the past of a character.This final volumes is somewhat different however, in that it also brings together what everyone was doing in the present.

In fact, it mainly focuses on the story in the present, and Zelos and Kratos their past is stuffed somewhere in between.

The story begins with an announcer in Meltokio proclaiming that Zelos (CV: Onosaka Masaya) is dead. Lloyd (CV: Konishi Katsuyuki) and Collette (CV: Mizuki Nana) who happen to be there don't want to believe it. While drinking something in a pub later they meet a woman called Kyrie who was working together with Zelos. Apparently Zelos found evidence of some sort of conspiracy just before he was killed, however he already gave to evidence to "the person he trusts most". Wanting to avenge Zelos, the three of them set of to find the evidence.

Kratos is only present in the story through his conversations with Yuan. What they tell of his past is already explained in game; what happened when Anna her exsphere was removed. I don't think there were any more details than in already mentioned in the game.

This drama CD had a completely different set-up, and I'm not entirely sure I'm happy about that. Zelos and Kratos are my favorite characters, so I was looking forward to seeing (hearing?) them in the spotlight. Instead, I think Lloyd and Collete actually featured more. Zelos does get a bit of action and a really cool line near the end though.

The cast comment however, was a lot better this time! This time four of the seiyuu made a comment, and they also interacted with each other making it a lot more lively. Especially Onosaka Masaya is really fun to listen to.


Conclusion:
I'm a bit sad that it doesn't center on Zelos and Kratos, but hearing a little bit of the future, of the problems that arise after the end of the game was nice too. That all three CD's are tied together with this was a nice touch too. I'll just turn my hopes towards the Rodeo Ride Tour CDs for more Zelos~

ps: all three covers together form one large image:

Tales of Symphonia: A Long Time Ago Vol.1

テイルズ オブ シンフォニア - A long time ago 第1巻

Company: Frontierworks 
Based on: Game
Released: 2004.07.23


Tales of Symphonia is one of my favorite games of all time, and I've been meaning to listen to the drama CD's for ages now. And here it is! The review for the first vol!

In total there are 3 volumes for A Long Time Ago, and each CD has two stories that deal with the past of a character. The first CD has stories for Regal Bryan and Fujibayashi Sheena. The stories are told as flashbacks, so while the drama CD's are chronologically after the game, the stories themselves are from before the game starts. Am I still making sense?

Interestingly enough, the prologue has nothing to do with the two stories. In the prologue we hear how Lloyd (CV: Konishi Katsuyuki) and Collette (CV: Mizuki Nana), are traveling to find all remaining exspheres. While the entire party from the game may now be split up, everyone is working towards the same goal in their own way (due to spoiler reasons, I'll refrain from any details ;)

Switch to Regal his story. While riding a coach to somewhere Regal (Ootsuka Akio) remembers a scene from his childhood with his father. Regal his father is a rather cold-hearted man who thinks only of their family company. Unintended Regal follows in his footsteps. However all of this begins to change when one of the maids one day puts a single white flower on display in his room.

Interested in the flower Regal asks her what the name of is the day after, and so she begins to bring a new one everyday. Through this they slowly become acquainted, and Regal begins to act much less cold in every aspect of life. However his butler George sees the growing love between a Noble, not to mention the president of a large company and a simple maid as unfit, and tears the two apart...

The second story is about Sheena (CV: Okimura Akemi), who receives a job offer from Zelos (CV: Onosaka Masaya). Due to it being a job with many responsibilities she initially want to refuse it. Involuntarily, this makes her think of when she was still working at the Elemental Research Lab in Meltokio.

During her time there she one day meets a man made elemental spirit named Corrinne. Feeling sorry for Corrinne because it is used in all kinds of experiments, she decides to set it free. Corrinne however stays with Sheena, and becomes a sort of moral support to her.

In short, these are the stories of how Regal met Alicia and how Sheena met Corrinne. If you've played the game, there is no really new information in this drama CD. It just gives further details to a past that we already knew. That doesn't make it any less interesting though. Especially in Regal his case, because I always had the feeling that he just missed a lot of screentime in the actual game (because he is the last person to join your party).

(I just realized I could have written a summary of only one sentence, doh)

In the bonustrack both Ootsuka Akio and Okamura Akemi give a short comment about their story. Maybe due to being so short it felt rather... lacking though. I really hoped for a cast comment with everyone involved, but alas.


Conclusion:
Because these CDs technically take place after the game, and therefore assume you know about every spoiler there is, it is probably best to listen to this only if you've (almost) finished the game. For those who are interested in the backstories of the characters this drama CD  is the right thing. Even if it is just a more detailed version of a story we already know.

Oujisama (warai) series 1st Vacation

王子様（笑）シリーズ バラエティドラマCD 1st Vacation

Company: Frontierworks
Based on: Fairy Tales

Released: 2011.07.21
Official Site: http://www.fwinc.co.jp/princewww

Oujisama (warai) re-tells the story from several well known fairy tales from the perspective of the prince. This time we continue their story, and for that the princes from the first vol + the prince from Sleeping Beauty (from vol.3) go on vacation... or at least, that was the plan.

(I will mention al the princes by the name of their fairy tale, not their actual name)

We start with everyone introducing themselves. Rapunzel and Cinderella haven't met Sleeping Beauty yet, so introductions are in order. However Sleeping Beauty has reverted into full otaku and shyness mode, so this isn't exactly going smooth.

Next up Snow White asks how everyone is doing now, which results in a conversation about their current lifestyle and (hilarious) politics. And after that they have to decide where to go for the vacation, and thus the everlasting "the sea or the mountains" discussion begins. (In Japan both are a popular place to go, and people often ask which you like best. In the end they decide that they can't go to the sea (because the next entry in the main series will be the Little Mermaid) and that they don't want to go to the mountains (because three of them met their bride in the forest).

Because everyone wants to go somewhere cool, Sleeping Beauty persuades them to visit an ice dungeon (actually the palace of the Snow Queen from the Andersen fairy tale). Once they arrive Snow White manages to get a piece of the mirror she used in his eye, completely changing his personality (like in the actual fairy tale).

Once all of the trouble surrounding that adventure has finally subsided, they decide to tell ghost stories to get cold (it is a common saying that telling kaidan will make the surroundings colder). However in stead of actual kaidan they tell well known fairy tales in a scary kind of way.

In between the story are little interludes that tell us how each prince spends the day. Which usually depict hilarious situations.

In the cast talk, Suzumura Kenichi accidentally references a different series xD Nakai mentions that is was fun to record this together with everyone (up to now he always did the recording alone).  This time however Onosaka-san recorded his part alone (on May 10th, apparently). Other than that the topic is how each of them spends the summer.

Conclusion:

Throwing all of these princes together always makes for hilarious moments, and this CD is no exception. I especially like how they incorporated all kinds of other fairy tales into this story, they reference quite a few of them. That, and I simply love Cinderella his personality.

News: 王子様（笑）シリーズ バラエティドラマＣＤ 1st Vacation

More details on the next Oujisama (warai) CD have been released.

The princes featured in this 'variety' drama CD are those from Snow White (CV: N akai Kazuya) Cinderella (CV: Suzumura Kenichi), Rapunzel (CV: Ishida Akira) and Sleeping Beauty (CV: Onosaka Masaya).

Set to a release date somewhere in July, the theme of this CD will be 'summer'. There will also be a mini drama "a day in the life of..."


It looks like our hilarious princes will go on a summer vacation somewhere. I'm looking forward too summer style hilarity. I wonder whether the next one will be winter themed? or maybe fall?

王子様(笑)シリーズ 第3巻 ～王子様と眠れる森～

Oujisama (warai) vol.3 ~Oujisama to nemureru mori~

Oujiama (warai) series is a drama cd series that tells well known fairytales in an... entirely different way. The title means 'Prince (laughs) series' and as the title implies the stories are told from the viewpoint of the prince in a rather hilarious way. This volume has only one story; that of Sleeping Beauty.


The moment I saw this was announced it made me happy, and I'm glad I was able to listen to it this fast! Contrary to the first two volumes there is only one story this time, but some of the princes from earlier volumes reprise their roles.

We first meet the servant (CV: Takemoto Eiji) of Sleeping Beauty her prince who meets... the prince from Snow White (CV: Nakai Kazuya). It turns out we are in his country, and the servant asks him whether he wants to help out find Sleeping Beauty. We are taken to the Prince (of Sleeping Beauty, his name is Gunther btw CV: Onosaka Masaya) himself who is... fighting a dragon and gains exp o.O

And from there on the entire story turns into an RPG. Sleeping Beauty and his servant try to get Snow White to sign up at a guild, Genji (CV: Yoshino Hiroyuki) already signed up because the girl behind the counter was cute, they need a fourth member to go on a quest to fight a red dragon, so Genji forces the Emperor (from Taketori Monogatari, CV: Okiayu Ryoutarou) to join xD


Genji is as annoying as ever, the Emperor his classic speach clashes with everything, Sleeping Beauty is a complete RPG otaku, and Snow White is the only sane person. Eventually Sleeping Beauty loses his confidence and Genji decides he will go and steal save the princess.

The previous two CDs were good, but this volume was absolutely brilliant, there is no other word for it. Just throwing all these princes (with their strange personalities) in one story was already funny, but when everything turned into a RPG it turned even better. Every RPG cliche is used, from all the different classes to collecting the four legendary thingamajigs to continue the story. If you play a lot of RPGs or know something about them it gets funnier by the minute. But don't worry if you don't know anything about them, even then it will be plenty funny (Snow White is in the same position anyways)

Just like the previous volumes there is a zazankai after the main story in which the characters talk together. Sleeping Beauty never had friends to drink with so  they first need to explain what they are going to do, and the Emperor decides to get drunk right from the get go ("as if I could do this while sober" xD).

The freetalk was also interesting. The theme was 'a dream that you don't want to wake up from'. Yoshino talks about soccer and the world cup (which made me realize just how recent this release is somehow), Onosaka told that he wants to be popular, Okiayu that he wants to lose weight and Takemoto thinks that their dreams are to normal xD The last three did the recording together making their part of the freetalk hilarious. Especially Okiayu and  Takemoto ignoring Onosaka Masaya when he asks whether he wasn't popular enough to do a story on his own was just... wow xD Nakai talks about that it was his dream to become a seiyuu so that he doesn't want to wake up from his current life. His talk is about to get deep and meaningful when time is up and he abruptly (and I mean abruptly) ends it.

The fact that Yoshino and Nakai did their free talk alone made me realize that they did the recording alone, and how difficult that must be. Especially because there is a lot of tsukkomi, mainly fron Nakai. The zazankai in particular sounds as if they really are talking all together so they really have my respect for some awesome voiceacting!



If you haven't heard the first two CDs yet you should listen to those before listening to this one. Firstly because they are also hilarious and absolutely worth listening, but also because the characters constantly reference to it and you might miss some injokes. (Especially the deal about princess Snow White xD). That said, this vol. is absolutely brilliant so go and listen to it NOW :D