Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa Vol.6 Yamazaki Susumu

Finally finished the review for this. I have a feeling that these reviews are getting longer with every CD though....

 新撰組黙秘録 勿忘草 第六巻 山崎烝

Company: Rejet
Based on: Original
Released: 2012.12.26
Official site: http://rejetweb.jp/wasurenagusa/


Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa is a series based on several historically famous people within the shinsengumi. The concept of the CDs is "what if I could have been there (and fall in love with one of them)". So while they are based on historical people, the rest is all fiction. The series uses the dummy head mic for several scenes. The sixth and final CD features Yamazaki Susumu (CV: Morikawa Toshiyuki)

The series always started with an introduction by the character that talked about the Ikedaya Incident, but this time we actually start a little earlier: Yamazaki talks about how he joined the Shinsengumi and acts as a spy. He both investigates things within and outside of the shinsengumi, reporting any suspicious behaviour. Because it is his job to observe and investigate people he eventually locked away his real self to be able to fulfil this mission.

The first time you meet him is after you already started working at the shinsengumi headquarters (as always, you got caught up in the Ikedaya Incident and end up working at the shinsengumi headquarters that way). He starts talking to you when he encounters you in the hallways. You have no idea who he is, but he does know who you are and introduces himself. You were supposed to be preparing the bathwater so he wonders what you are doing, and you answer that your wound hurts (you got hurt during the Ikedaya Incident) and he offers to help you change the bandages.

This starts with him demanding that you take of your clothes. He's being polite about it, but very persistent. Looking at the wound on your shoulder (more on your back by the sound of it) he says that it isn't looking well and is one step away from getting infected. After which he starts licking it to 'disinfect' it, using the excuse that a real disinfectant would probably hurt. In the end nothing else happens though, and he applies new bandages. After you leave it turns out that he only did this because he suspected that you were carrying something under your kimono, but he didn't find anything even after he undressed you xD

You occasionally meet him at headquarters, and it turns out he has been observing you even though you never noticed. Instead of being freaked out like most people, you are actually in awe of his observing skills and ask him what kind of things he got to know about you. This surprises him, as most people try to avoid him. Which makes him happy but at the same time slightly confuses him.

One day while he is investigating some suspicious people in town you spot him and walk straight up to him, drawing their attention. To get away he suddenly kisses you, asking you to act like a lovers so that they will go away. Gracious kissing sounds all over the place and to be honest by the end of this scene I was complete goo. The combination of kissing sounds and constant whispering is kind of lethal.

Feeling guilty about what he did -even if it was just to get away- he feels he should apologise but doesn't have to courage to, so he visits you at night and apologises while you are asleep - while at the same time confessing that he loves you. This is probably the cutest scene in the entire series and it just makes Yamazaki so very precious.

Apparently he checks up on you in the night more often, as he finds you still awake in the middle of the night a little while later. You had a nightmare and can't sleep, so in order for you to fall asleep he sits beside your bed holding your hand. Once you've fallen asleep he starts talking to you again, even kissing you again, which is when he notices that you are actually awake. Because you don't resist he takes this as consent and continues.

To begin with he gives you a drug which he claims is an aphrodisiac (but which later turns out to be fake btw). Yamazaki is actually somewhat of a tease in the beginning, and there is so much lethal whispering involved it should be illegal (damn you Morikawa!!). At this point Yamazaki also turns out to be both a yandere -threatening to kill you if you ever start to like someone else and even putting a blade to your neck to prove this- and an M: he asks you to bite his hand while you are having sex so that you will leave your mark on him as well as mentioning that this makes him feel alive. If anyone remembers: I was hoping for a yandere-do-M character a little while back, so when this happened my fangirl levels went over 9000.

In the ending you are visiting the mountain which he told you about before together. Compared to some of the other endings this one had a fairly happy ending feeling despite Yamazaki making several death threats. He opens up to you about locking away himself, and thanks you for allowing him to regain a bit of himself. In his final monologue he also mentions that as long as he has you he will be OK. Of course the real pain in this case comes from the knowledge that he dies in battle just a few years later....

This is the first time that I noticed how well the theme music matched the opening track. The entire talk up to where Yamazaki starts fighting is exactly the length of the theme music, with the rise in tension matching the rise in the music.

Ignoring his sexual harassment treatment of your wound in the beginning for a moment, Yamazaki is very kind and polite from the beginning and easy to like. During the scene where he apologises to you while you sleep he becomes so incredibly precious that I couldn't dislike him anymore even if I tried. It is obvious that he starts to like you fairly early in the story but I was fine with that, the pace of the rest of the CD matched this and it didn't feel unnatural.

I've written that I prefer my yanderes insane many times before, but this is the first CD that made me think different. Yamazaki is arguably one of the most calm yanderes I know, and it just felt right. Part of this is probably thanks to the fact that his death threats feel real: you can somehow feel that he will be the sweetest boyfriend in the world as long as you look only at him, but that you would be very very dead if you were to ever leave him. They also managed to slip in de do-M part without making it feel over the top. Rejet, I applaud you.

In the free talk Morikawa-san actually makes a request to the makers of the dummy head mic, asking if they could make slight less sensitive, because apparently whispering or making sounds like blowing into someone's ear is really hard because the mic is so sensitive (he shows you how it sounds when it goes wrong).


Conclusion:
I am having a hard time deciding whether I like Yamazaki or Hijikata the most. Both are amazing in their own way and both seiyuu did an amazing job. While I at first started to dislike the ero in this series I feel it improved somewhat in the later CDs (and at any rate nothing could get weirder then Kondo and his sword play) and I'm sad that the series has ended now. I really hope that Rejet will release a soundtrack though, as the music is beautiful.

Or they could just continue and make CDs for the still missing shinsengumi members. Or turn it into an otome game - because it certainly is popular enough. Edit: it is now 2016 and this is exactly what they did.

End of the Year News Post Part 1

Part 1 of the end-of-the-year news!


Oujisama (warai) series
No real news here, but the latest post on the website that celebrates the release of the last Oujisama Date CD mentions that 2012 is almost over now but that they "hope for our support in 2013, when the series wll still continue". The second Radio CD will be out in Februari, but who knows what they might be planning besides that~



Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa
Besides the incredibly deadly third voice sample for Yamazaki his CD, voice samples for the official tokuten and the animate tokuten have been uploaded as well. The official tokuten (that you can get when you bought all 6 CDs is a 60min(!) full dummy head mic drama CD in which a short episode with each character is recorded. By the sound of it the CD is going to be a lot funnier than the main story (Heisuke his reaction when he walks in on you sitting in the bath is priceless, and it sounds like Kondo starts to announce something in an overdone fashion during the fade-out of his preview).

The animate tokuten (that you can get when you buy all 6CDs at animate) has all characters interact with each other. In the preview they are first arguing about whether they should write everyone's names on heir tabi (shoes) or not, after which Okita brings out the sake and everyone starts to drink. In the second part they seems to be bragging about how close they are with you while drinking, it ends with them planning to ask you who you like best....

Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa Vol.5 Hijikata Toshizou

First off: thanks to ohfourohnine for hooking me up with a download this fast! Many thanks to you!

新撰組黙秘録 勿忘草 第伍巻 土方歲三

Company: Rejet
Based on: Original
Released: 2012.11.28
Official site: http://rejetweb.jp/wasurenagusa/


Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa (after this simply 'wasurenagusa') is a series based on several historically famous people within the shinsengumi. The concept of the CDs is "what if I could have been there (and fall in love with one of them)". So while they are based on historical people, the rest is all fiction. The series uses the dummy head mic for several scenes. The fifth CD features Hijikata Toshizou (CV: Hosoya Yoshimasa)


As always we start with an introduction and the raid on Ikedaya. From Hijikata his talk and actions it is obvious that he is a strict leader and down to business type of person. Back at headquarters after the raid Hijikata hears that someone brought in a wounded girl who got caught up in everything. He first wants them to throw you out, but goes to see you anyway. When you don't wake up he orders that your room and the hallway will be guarded, not excluding the possibility that you are a spy.

You go look for him yourself to ask whether you can work at the shinsengumi headquarters. You find him training the other shinsengumi members, but he flat out refuses to let you stay. However he agrees to it in the end (because Heisuke asked him). After which he continues with yelling at you that you shouldn't take the work here to lightly and that he doesn't trust you yet.

Some time afterwards Hijikata orders you to bring him tea, and you end up accidentally spilling the tea on him because you are nervous. And thus Hijikata orders you to take of his kimono for him. This is also where he starts calling you a "dog". His dog to be specific. Surprisingly he lets you off with just a kiss.

When it is reported that you might be working with the enemy he immediately has you brought to him and he starts to question you. Or rather, intimidate you. He gets really angry and even draws his sword to kill you, but because you start crying so hard he gives up (because if you really were a spy you wouldn't act this way). You didn't really betray the shinsengumi but your actions did lead to someone getting injured, and in a rare act of kindness he even accompanies you when you go to Kondo apologise for your mistakes.

He does appear to have a kinder side as well though. When you bring him water and a towel during his training he has a remarkably normal conversation with you. And when you see him secretly eating some of Kondo his sweets during Kondo his absence he even acts kind of cute. Hijikata sees Kondo as the ideal leader, and thus considers it his task to be the strict one.

When Hijikata is feeling vexed by Sannan (Yamanami Keisuke) leaving the shinsengumi,  you for some reason feel brave enough to actually speak up, which obviously annoys Hijikata and he starts to lecture you by tying up your hands, putting a collar on you and chaining you to a pillar before proceeding to undress you. The main ero scene comes a little bit later though. After Hijikata mistakenly thought you were running away (you were actually running an errand for Souji) he first actually apologises for his actions, but the end result is that he continues where he left off last time.

However in the middle of this he breaks down into tears. Saying that if the shinsengumi ever disbanded or Kondo and Souji would ever go away he would be all alone and wouldn't know what to do. He only calms down when you promise to stay by his side forever.

In his epilogue he is kinder again. While he does say that the shinsengumi is what comes first, he also says that you are the second most important thing, even before his own life. Not to mention that he straight out tells you that he loves you. Hearing those words after everything was just so worth it.

Hijikata is 1. Scary 2. Incredibly sexy, and 3. Surprisingly 'human'. The CD really introduces him as the 鬼副長 (demon vice captain) but gradually shows more and more of his human side. To the point where he eventually breaks down and opens up to you. At that moment I just wanted to hug him. The scene where he is secretly eating those sweets was also adorable.

After reading about the 'spilled tea scene' in the official outline of the CD I expected that to be the start of the main ero scene so I was surprised when it came so early. I'm still not sure whether you actually undressed him (or to what extend) though.

Hijikata calling you a dog an tying you up might be a bit more extreme that previous CDs, but I've lived through several Yandere Heaven and Dialovers CDs and no longer mind this at all (*´ω｀*) Besides, Hosoya his voice. THAT VOICE. *cough* I mean, he did a very good job on this. He makes Hijikata sound incredibly intimidating, but also caring when needed. And at the part where he was crying his voice just broke my heart.

But the free talk is the main reason I am now only an inch away from adding Hosoya to my bias list. The free talk is pretty long (12min) and he spend most of it talking pretty seriously but in a way that is fun to listen. What really got me though is when he mentioned the lines that made the strongest impression on him: "こちを向け" ("Look here", or possibly "look at me"). The reason is that he would never be able to say that himself and it would be more like "would you please look here" or "I'd be happy if you were willing to look this way" and when he said that he sounded SO INCREDIBLY CUTE. Don't worry Hosoyan!! I'll look at you!!


Conclusion:
If you ask me this was by far the best CD in the series yet. And the most intense one. I personally have little to no problems with the fact that you are tied up, but maybe my senses have gone a bit numb thanks to other series. I'm less in favour of being called "a dog" but if it is in a sexy voice like this I don't mind, hohoho.

Weekly News Post

Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa
The much awaited third voice sample is up. Hijikata seems to be calmly enjoying himself, while no doubt doing a lot of things to you. Only a few more days until the release, hohoho.


Mikkai
Details about the second CD are up on the site. Mizuki Keita (CV: Ono Yuuki) works as an idol. He is a kind person who can't leave people in trouble to their own, but because he acts like a cool type on stage everyone around him and his fans think that is his actual personality. The CD is planned for a 2013.01.25 release. I really love the main visual btw. 


Sasayaki Micchaku
The series continues with vol.5 養護教諭・近杉泰助の保健日誌 (yougokyouyu chikasugi taisuke no hoken nikki, Health Teacher Chikadugi Taisuke (?) his Health Journal). I am completely uncertain about how to read his name because this series has rather original readings at times, but up to now all the names were puns and 'Chikasugi' could also mean "too close" which fits the pattern of the names up to now.

Either way, he is voiced by Hosoya Yoshimasa, and the setting is that he is the school nurse at the school you are going to. While you visit him he tells you all sorts of stories, and one day your relationship might even change from teacher-student to something more...?! The CD is planned for a 2013.03.27 release.

Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa Vol.4 Toudou Heisuke

新撰組黙秘録 勿忘草 第四巻 藤堂平助

Company: Rejet
Based on: Original
Released: 2012.10.31
Official site: http://rejetweb.jp/wasurenagusa/


Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa (after this simply 'wasurenagusa') is a series based on several historically famous people within the shinsengumi. The concept of the CDs is "what if I could have been there (and fall in love with one of them)". So while they are based on historical people, the rest is all fiction. The series uses the dummy head mic for several scenes. The fourth CD features Toudou Heisuke (CV: Shimono Hiro)

This is the longest CD in the series as of yet: 108min.

As always the first track is an introduction track. Heisuke talks about how he hates those who claim to do things in the emperor his name (sono-joi) but in fact just do as they please. And as always we start with the Ikedaya Incident: Heisuke was among those who attacked the inn, and we hear how he gets the injury on his forehead.

After things have calmed down he is told to rest a little longer. Wanting to do something he is ordered to take care of you for a little while. Heisuke is sitting beside you when you wake up. I love how he pretends that his wound is nothing when you asks about it, going all "it is not like I was careless or anything". He continues to talk about how you witnessed your parents being killed, and that he can understand that feeling. While saying that he just wants to cheer you up he is actually fully trying to seduce you.

But in the middle of it you shove him away (even hit him xD). He tells you you should think about where you will go now. The next time you see him you've apparently asked Hijikata whether you can stay at the shinsengumi headquarters, but he refused to let you stay. Heisuke tells you that you should try again. This works: the second time you asked Hijikata agreed - apparently Heisuke asked him to let you stay.

Heisuke has to leave to Edo to recruit more members, and before he leaves he asks you to come with the group going to Edo. You agree and so you join them on their mission. While in Edo no one really has the time to take care of you, but Heisuke promises that he will take you to see the city after he is finished. Teasing you the entire time that you are out on your little 'date'.

When you are out one night you run into Heisuke, who has just killed a couple of enemies. He is obviously shaken, and eventually admits that he doesn't like killing people. When you try to cheer him up he first freaks out yelling at you not to touch him because he thinks of himself as "filthy". When you refuse to let go he at first tries to scare you off by kissing you, but hen you don't resist he eventually apologises. BUT, we don't switch into sexy time just yet. It sounds like things return to normal for a while.

Before you return to Kyoto however, he asks you to come to his room at night. Initially you are just drinking tea, but he starts kissing you and tells you that he loves you. There are still some vague descriptions in the ero parts, but one thing is very clear: he is rather skilled at guiding your hand. That actually makes this the first CD where you are actually being pro-active in some sort of way.

In the final track you have returned to Kyoto. He talks about how the shinsengumi has become larger and how their ideals have changed. He is starting to wonder whether the shinsengumi is the right place for him to be, even though he swore to serve the shinsengumi. After you leave to fix dinner he still talks to himself for a bit: that he is happy that he met you. But he also wonders about when he will die.

When he suddenly started seducing you in the second track I was seriously wondering whether the tracks somehow got mixed up. I was just about to check this when you hit him and the story returned to its normal pattern.

Heisuke is actually really sweet though. After that first time he doesn't try anything anymore and encourages you to ask Hijikata to let you work at headquarters again, even talking to Hijikata about this. The reason why he asked you to come with him to Edo is also because he thinks it would be a nice change of scenery. During your time in Edo he teases you a little bit again, but out of all the CDs so far this is the first one where you act a bit like an actual couple, which was kind of cute.

Heisuke his obsession with death was a little annoying. Understandable, but annoying. Sex and talking about death do not mix. But oh well. Also the kissing sounds... slightly rushed?. Even though I knew that he more or less makes you give a handjob from reviews by other people, I was still squirming like an idiot when I reached that point in the CD. Usually in CDs with these kind of ero scenes the heroine/listener is completely passive, so this was a rather unexpected change.

I don't know why, but I more or less expected this CD to end with Heisuke leaving the shinsengumi. Instead, this almost feels like a (semi) happy ending, with Heisuke saying that he will have to treasure every second together.

Shimono-san begins the free talk in a high-tension mode. He says that has never used the dummy head mic for this long. I had to laugh when he mentioned that he might be a bit like Heisuke in that he also likes to play pranks. Apparently he also played an (out of character) Hijikata in a stage play once? I'm kind of curious what kind of play that was. The final question a "message to the otomes listening to this CD", and because of the word 'otome' he starts to worry about what to say xD



Conclusion:
I feel like these summaries/reviews are getting longer and longer (^-^;;). Well the CDs are long as well so it can't be helped <- -  That is what I keep telling myself. Heisuke his story was very cute. His personal problems don't show until the very late in the story, making the rest even cuter. It was also a nice change that you actually leave the shinsengumi headquarters this time. Hijikata was mentioned a couple of times in this CD, makes me more and more curious about him. Luckily, the wait is almost over.

Weekly News Post

Two weeks of news this time~

Also: there is another interesting tumblr which has updates on drama CD reviews and news (often with more elaborate translations than I do), so please support it as well~



Oujisama (warai) series
The first two preview tracks for the second Oujisama (warai) Date CD are up at the Animate TV site. The first track has Aladdin (CV: Miyano Mamoru) being extremely sweet, and the Emperor (CV: Okiayu Ryoutarou) and Genji (CV: Yoshino Hiroyuki) commenting on what he is doing. The second track has the Emperor writing a poem for you, and of course the other two feel the need to comment on this.

On 21st two more preview tracks will be uploaded: a preview of your date with Genji, and a preview of the Zadankai track.


Miracle Train

Lately the official site has been releasing info on new characters. 麻布十番 双葉  (Azajuuban Futaba) will be voiced by Shimono Hiro, 赤羽橋 弐人 (Akabaneshi Nihito) will be voiced by Hosoya Tadamasa. .I can't find any info on new CDs or other products being released soon, but this secretly makes me hope that there will be more escort CDs (even though I still haven't listened to any of them).

Weekly News Post

Hmmmm? The news posts always seem to be late again lately?? That is probably just your imagination, hahahaha orz.



Sasayaki Micchaku

The voice samples and cover for Sasayaki Micchaku have been uploaded tot the official site. The first sample has Tsukumo (CV: Okamoto Nobuhiko) starting his fortune telling. As expected, Tsukumo sounds really cute. The second voice sample is one of the stories he tells you. You seem to be doing overwork together with a kouhai, who obviously likes you. The CD will be released on 2012.11.14.


Fujoshi / Otome no Mikata

This time the Fuoshi and Otome no Mikata CDs are combined into one: Fujoshi Shitsuji x Otome Shitsuji mixes the characters from both series into two groups. The first group consists of Akagi Eichi (CV: Sakurai Takahiro), Kikawa Miki (CV: Ishida Akira), Midoriyama Shion (CV: Okiayu Ryoutarou), Kagami Homura (CV: Namikawa Daisuke), Kinjoun Kira (? CV: Suzuki Tasuhisa), and Kino Makoto (?? CV: Maeno Tomoaki) are grouped together for a Christmas themed CD that will be released on 2012.11.30 and will be on presale at the animate girls festival.

Aoi Ryuuji (CV: Toriumi Kousuke), Kurosaki Gorou (CV: Yusa Kouji), Goshirakawa (CV: Kondo Takashi), Mizuki Jun (? Morita Masakaza), Toki Riku (? CV: Suwabe Junichi), Yukimura Sei (? Shimono Hiro) are grouped together for a valentine CD that is planned for 2013.01.25

If you buy both CDs at animate you can get a special CD in which all 12 butlers interact. Sounds like total chaos, but definitely worth it.

*I haven't listened to the Otome no Mikata CDs yet, and I can't find the official readings for the names of those characters so excuse any mistakes. Also, if Maeno his character is really called Kino Makoto I will never stop laughing, I just chose this reading because out of all the possibilities it is the one that amuses me most.

Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa Vol.3 Kondo Isami

新撰組黙秘録 勿忘草 第参巻 近藤勇

Company: Rejet
Based on: Shinsengumi /original
Released: 2012.09.26
Official site: http://rejetweb.jp/wasurenagusa/


Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa (after this simply 'wasurenagusa') is a series based on several historically famous people within the shinsengumi. The concept of the CDs is "what if I could have been there (and fall in love with one of them)". So while they are based on historical people, the rest is all fiction. The series uses the dummy head mic for several scenes. The third CD features Kondo Isami (CV: Inoue Kazuhiko).

As always this story is long: although it is short for this series: 75min (and 3:22min freetalk).

Like before the story begins with the Ikedaya Incident. Kondo was taking the lead in the raid on the Ikedaya Inn, and we are treated to a very bloodthirsty Kondo cutting down several conspirators. If you'd hear only this you'd think he is a psychopath to be honest (^-^;;)

However immediately afterwards we get to see a completely different side. Just like in the previous CDs you were caught up in the events of the Ikedaya Incident and your parents were killed, so for now you are staying at the shinsengumi headquarters. Kondo apologises for not being able to take better care of you because the past few days were rather busy.

You seem down, so he offers you some sweets. It turns out that he has quite the sweet tooth, but that Hijikata always forbids him to eat sweets because it wouldn't suit his image as leader of the shinsengumi. So Kondo always tries to hide sweets, and Hijikata finds them and disposes of them. However lately Kondo started to hoard higashi (dried sweets, by the sound of it it seems he has something like this or this) which he has been able to hide from Hijikata. He offers you some sweets as well, along with the offer to stay at the headquarters and work there as a (kitchen) servant.

You start to work at the headquarters and occasionally talk with Kondo there. At some point you run into him in town while you are on an errand for Okita. Kondo thinks you should also enjoy yourself every once in a while, and the two of you end up shopping together while holding hands. Kondo wants to visit a sword shop, which is where you get to hear about his katana obsession. In the end the sword he wanted to see wasn't good enough so he doesn't buy it (in fact he mentions it is probably an imitation of a famous maker).

A little while later he comes to inform you that they are heading out on a raid that night again, and that you should stay inside. Of course you worry about his safety. The next day you go and check on him because he seems down, and he confesses to you that he feels guilty for the deaths of those who died in battle last night. To cheer him up you give him a flower, and promise to always make sure there are fresh flowers in his room. He also tells you that he has always seen you as a little sister (ouch) but that he just realized that you are a woman as well.

The next time you see him he is once again running away from his duties and taking a break in the garden. You were searching for a piece of laundry that got blown away in the wind, and you end up searching for it together. While you are searching Kondo happily tells you that he dreamt of you last night, and it seems it wasn't an innocent dream either. He also tells you that "he started wondering whether you would show the same erotic expressions if he were to actually hold you” Σ(´ω｀*) He is certainly being straight forward there.

Of course all of this eventually escalates, and he sort of seduces you. Start of the awaited ero scenes, but his is where things get weird. Kondo somehow brings kotetsu (his katana) into this, and to be honest I have no idea what is going on. What I do get is that kotetsu turns him on just as much as your naked body, and that Inoue-san his voice next to your ear is very sexy, but I have no idea what he is doing with that sword.

In the final track he talks to you about the future of the shinsengumi, and that it won't all be easy. Compared to the first 2 CDs this one seems less emotional. Although he does talk about "being prepared for the end", and that he is trying to decide where to "use his life [and die]" and that this day might be close. While it is certainly depressing, it failed to move me to tears...

I didn't mention this before, but in the second CD I also had some problems with understanding what exactly is going on in the ero scenes. Not because I don't understand what is being said, but because the descriptions are rather vague. This time however, I had absolutely no clue about what was going on. In the end I was so pre-occupied with trying to find out what was happening exactly that the ero kind of failed.

I liked Kondo his normal personality though (when he is not in katana obsessed killing mode). The development in your relationship, where he first sees you as his little sister, then starts to realize that you are a 'woman', and eventually falls in love with you was good as well. Although I have to say I was surprised at his straight out telling you that he dreamt of you in certain ways. I expected Rejet to make some sort of reference to the fact that Kondo was already married at the time of this story, but they happily ignored this fact.

It is kind of hard to believe that the leader of the shinsengumi had a secret sweet tooth and regularly ditched his work, only to be scolded by Hijikata though. This does make me curious how Hijikata will be portrayed though.

The free talk is neither boring nor very special. Random fact: apparently Inoue-san did this recording barefooted.


Conclusion:
I am increasingly starting to dislike the ero in this series. Whether it is just being too vague or plain weird, it simply doesn't match with the rest of the story. The pacing and writing of the rest of the story are very good -as always- but the ero just seems to be done half-heartedly. Either that or their writer really needs to work on improving  ero writing skills.

Weekly News Post

Mikkai -Secret Tryst-
The official site for Mikkai opened on Friday. As mentioned before, this series is about "a secret love that you can't mention to anyone". Now that the site is opened it further explains that there are time when even you love someone, you hide your feelings because of what the rest of the world might think. The Illustrations are done by 和田べこ (Wada Beko?), who also did the illustrations for Zoku Toriai Kyoudai. I was secretly hoping for the illustrator from Shuukan Soine.

Details for the first vol.1 are up as well. The subtitle is 不器用な口づけ (bukiyou na kuchizuke, akward/clumsy kisses) and the character is Niki Aoi (CV: Hino Satoshi), an 18year old high school student. His motto is taking it easy, and he hates rules. He likes teasing adults and making fun of them. There are no further detail on what the story will be like, but based on earlier rumours you likely take the role of his teacher. There are three button with a flower pattern that do nothing for now, but I'm guessing we'll see voice samples appear soon. As mentioned before the CD is planned for a 2012.12.21 release.

Soine Hitsuji CD      

The main visual for Soine Hitsuji CD Vol.4 has also been released. This time the illustration has a winter theme (I feel really silly for not realizing that the illustrations followed the seasons as a theme). No voice samples yet, but the CD is voiced by Shimono Hiro and is planned for a 2012.12.21 release as well.

Weekly News Post *update*

The news post is only half done, and there is at least one other project that I really really really want to write something about, but life is getting in the way. I'll update this post later this evening or sunday morning.

Added the news about 'Hikari'.





Bokutachi Otoko no Ko
No news on new release yet, but the official site has been renewed and has a completely new look. And if they are going to the trouble of renewing the site, I am guessing there will be a new release sometime soon.


Double Score

Blue Moon will be at the Animate Girls Festival 2012 selling Double Score and Unending Bloody Call goods. If you spend over 3000yen on buying goods you get the Double Score ~Forest?~ CD, which is a situation CD featuring the sub-character Mori Kengo (CV: Kimura Ryouhei). The entire CD is recorded with the dummy head mic, and has a story about Kengo and the heroine (his girlfriend, meaning you) in his room.


10nen Hatsukoi
The official site hasn't been updated yet, but according to 2chan 10nen Hatsukoi vol.2 is planned for a 2012.11.30 release. This time the characters will be Niida Kouhei (CV: Takahiro) and Iwakiri Satoshi (???, CV: Namikawa Daisuke).

Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa Vol.2 Okita Souji

新撰組黙秘録 勿忘草 第弐巻 沖田総司

Company: Rejet
Based on: Shinsengumi
Released: 2012.08.29
Official site: http://rejetweb.jp/wasurenagusa/


Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagua (after this simply 'wasurenagusa') is a series based on several historically famous people within the shinsengumi. The concept of the CDs is "what if I could have been there (and fall in love with one of them)". So while they are based on historical people, the rest is all fiction. The series uses the dummy head mic for several scenes. The second CD has Okita Souji (CV: Suzuki Tatsuhisa).

If you thought the first CD was long: this one is even longer and reaches the 100min (and 3.5min free talk). The first disc is a full hour.

The story once again begins during the Ikedaya Incident. Okita was part of the Shinsengumi group that attacked the conspirators that were hiding in the Ikedaya Inn. During this raid he becomes unwell, starts coughing up blood and finally collapses.

When he wakes up you are at his side, taking care of him. He still wants to reach Kondo and Hijikata, but you eventually manage to calm him down by telling him that they are fine but currently not at headquarters. They are still patrolling the streets to finish of remnants of the conspirators. He tells you he is fine and that he doesn't need you taking care of him. When you've left the room it shows that he was definitely afraid and really glad that he is still alive though.

Okita tries to act like he is all healthy, but he is obviously weakened. So by orders of Kondo you are supposed to keep an eye on him so that he doesn't strain himself too much. Okita by no means agrees with this and keeps telling you that he doesn't need you. Even going as far as to threaten you a couple of times in the hope that you will stay away. All he wants to is be someone that Kondo and Hijikata can rely on, but he feels that they see him as someone who is so weak that they need a woman to look after him. If you couldn't tell, Okita seems kind of obsessed with serving the two of them.

Eventually he starts to accept the situation though. Or rather, gives up on trying to find a way out of it. When you bring him water one evening he starts to talk about how he would like to die under the moonlight. You don't want to leave him alone after that, and when he provokes you to spend the night in his room you actually stay. His attitude towards you is still pretty cold, until he actually kisses you. Seeing how shocked you are he actually apologises for it, saying "that someone like him shouldn't do this, because he won't be around to take responsibility" and sends you to your own room.

I am guessing a few days later, you bring him something to eat while he is training in the middle of night. He tells you that he would like to eat you as well, and more or less forces himself on you. This part is quite different from the last CD. Okita deliberately tries to hurt you, as if he wants to drive you away. It is also much less explicit than the first CD. There is still enough going on though, yet you still manage to fall asleep halfway through (wut?). That does mean we get to hear Okita say that he actually does love you though.

In the final track he is talking with you during the day and teasing you. He also talks a bit about how he would like to be there to see how the shinsengumi continues to grow, obviously hinting at the fact that such a thing is impossible. After you've returned to your work he mentions that he is no longer afraid of dying, because he is happy just being here right now *sad theme music plays*.

For those that don't know this: the entire point of this CD is that Okita Souji had tuberculosis. This is also the reason why he says "that he won't be able to take responsibility": he doesn't have very long to live. I think that is also the reason that he forces himself on you. He noticed that you love him and while he does care for you, he also thinks you should be with someone other than himself because he will die soon anyway. The kiss scene a little before that probably shows his real feelings.

I was surprised that they made him talk relatively polite. I'm assuming that they did this because Okita was one of the youngest members of the shinsengumi, but you are only a servant girl so there is no real reason why he would talk that polite to you as well. Speaking of you/the heroine: it seems like you were saved and brought here just like in the first CD. So I am guessing that the canon for the rest of the series is that Saitou rescued you and brought you to the shinsengumi headquarters, and that the events differ from there

Just like before the pacing was very good. That they literally included the point where he simply gives up trying to get rid of you was also interesting and made the pacing clearer. Personally I would have preferred it if Okita would have just been honest about his own feelings instead of trying to scare you off. Or maybe actually confide to you that he was afraid to die if you want to take the pity route. I think the kiss scene was really beautiful, too bad he had to go and ruin it after that.

The free talk is almost the opposite of the first CD. Takahashi-san was all hyper and cheerful, while Suzuki-san seem almost gloomy. Either it was a really exhausting recording or that last scene must have really gotten to him. All of his answers on the questions he has been given are rather short, but his message to the listeners was brilliant: "go and listen to it [the CD] again".


Conclusion:
That this would have a lot of heartbreak was a given from the start, and the final track lives up to that. It is just such a pity Okita had to try and push you away. Why couldn't he just be honest with his own feelings and be gentle with you. You could probably skip the first two tracks of the second CD (the ero part) and the CD would be just as good. Or better, actually.

Weekly News Post

I am slowly getting better at this. The day I will actually make my own deadline is near. Hopefully.



Honeymoon

We all it knew this would come sooner or later; the next Honeymoon CD has been announced. This time Okumura Chiharu (CV: Ishida Akira) will take you to Turkey. Chiharu is a history teacher, so you will be visiting a few ruins in Turkey among other things. Chiharu is described as having a sexy aura, but it is hard to guess what he is thinking.

Sasayaki Micchaku   

The series continues, this time with a fortune teller. Sawatane Tsukumo (CV: Okamoto Nobuhiko) is an apprentice fortune teller, and that is about everything that the official site tells us about him. Judging from his character image he looks like a cheerful innocent type, but who knows. His design is very different from the first three characters, who all had more of an adult atmosphere. The CD is planned for a 2012.11.14 release.

Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa Vol.1 Saitou Hajime

新撰組黙秘録勿忘草 第壱巻 斎藤 一

Company: Rejet
Based on: Shinsengumi
Released: 2012.07.25
Official site: http://rejetweb.jp/wasurenagusa/


Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagua (after this simply 'wasurenagusa') is a series based on several historically famous people within the shinsengumi. The concept of the CDs is "what if I could have been there (and fall in love with one of them)". So while they are based on historical people, the rest is all fiction. The series uses the dummy head mic for several scenes. The first CD has Saito Hajime (CV: Takahashi Naozumi).

The first thing that surprised me is that the drama is recorded on two discs. So it is long: about 90min (and an 8min freetalk). I think this is the first time I've seen a situation CD recorded on two discs.

The story begins during the Ikedaya Incident. Saitou was patrolling the streets when he finds you. You parents have been killed by several ronin who are involved in the incident. Saitou quickly finishes them off and notices that your are injured, so he orders several subordinates to take you to the shinsengumi headquarters and tend to your injuries.

You stay there as a servant (judging from what he calls you, you are mostly doing kitchen work) and while he does recognise you he mostly acts cold towards you. He notices you are watching him from the shadows while he is training, and this only causes him to get even more irritated with you. Eventually you confess that you want him to teach you how to use a sword. At first he declines, saying that a woman shouldn't be holding a sword and that you will only get yourself killed if you try to get revenge for the death of your parents, but eventually he agrees. Although he only teaches you techniques for protecting yourself.

This continues for a while, and he is quite strict and obviously still doesn't really care about you, but eventually he becomes a bit milder towards you. The first time he actually shows some affection is when he is ordered to accompany you into town (you have been working hard and this is a kind of reward, but obviously you can't be on the streets alone so you need someone to accompany you). This is also a slightly amusing scene, as you basically go shopping with him and he acts like a prototype boyfriend-that-doesn't-want-to-shop. On the way back he tells you that he will have to leave on a mission soon, and you nearly start crying so he hugs you to calm down.

The next you are sent out on an errand alone, and return very late. He first scolds you for not being on time for your training and making him wait in the rain, but it turns out soon enough that he was simply worried that you wouldn't come back to him. Which is when he kisses you, which develops into to more and basically continues to a point where I started to wonder when the fade-out was going to come.

The final track is him saying goodbye to you when he leaves, telling you that he hopes to return to you so that you can be together some day. This is probably the cruellest part of this CD (and series), because most of the shinsengumi members don't exactly get to live a long and happy life.

The pacing in this CD was done very well - it really takes a while before Saitou warms up to you, although I have to admit that he still seems a bit cold even then thanks to his not so talkative attitude. But from his actions is does show that he is starting to like you. Of course the CD has the advantage that it is pretty long, so they had plenty of time for development as well. Although technically the larger part of the second CD is used for all the, erm, intimate moments of the story.

I found the background music and especially sounds very interesting. The time of day is mostly noticeable though this: the sound of crickets at night, or the kind of sounds you hear in the morning. It also rains a couple of times. The first time it rains it isn't of any importance to the story, but it somehow made me feel like this is an actual world, where things unrelated to the story also happen. My only regret is that I think that they could have used the -absolutely gorgeous- theme music better in the last track. If they would have played most of it after the goodbye (instead of during) I think the effect would have been much greater.

While I am not much of a Shinsengumi fan (and had to look up most of the background information) it was a good CD. You don't need to know the background, but knowing it certainly adds some depth (and a whole lot of heartbreak) to the story.

Takahashi Naozumi sounds very different during his freetalk (he sounds so cute). He mentions that he is a bit like Saitou in the scene where he takes you shopping (again, cute). He talks a bit about the shinsengumi and the dummy head mic but all I can think during the entire recording is "so cute!". Which only led to more suprise when I googled him, because he is much older than I thought.


Conclusion:
Despite it actually being an 1.5hours it never felt a really long, which only shows that they did the pacing right. Personally I am not much of an ero fan, but it never became too much so I was fine with it. Somehow I expected more heartbreak, but looking at the historical facts there is plenty of room for that in other entries in the series.

Weekly News Post

Hello there! Today’s news post comes with a few side notes. Next week there won’t be a news post because I am on a short vacation to Italy. I will do my best to make a news post in the weekend of 21-22 July but I can’t promise anything...

Because I’ll be busy with preparations for my second vacation: 4 weeks of Japan!! Which means that there won’t be any news posts from July 28 till August 18-ish, nor will I be able to reply to any comments or post anything on tumblr because I will be busy traveling around Japan trying to meet friends and bankrupting myself by buying lots of games and CD’s. (Which I won't be able to play or listen to until I get back, haha)

Because I already had an involuntary hiatus 2 months ago, I’m trying to keep the blog active during that time. But that means all posts will be queued so that they will post automatically. I will have to apologise for any spelling or grammar mistakes during that time. I’m currently working fulltime to be able to afford all of this, and I simply don’t have the time (or energy) to check them as thoroughly as I usually do.

And now, on to the actual news!!


Oujisama (warai)

I already interpreted the zadankai in the last CD as a confirmation that there would be more releases, and while they might be a little bit different from what I expected my wish has been fulfilled!!

Starting October 2012 three new CDs titled “Oujisama (warai) Date CD” will be released. There are now nine princes, so I’m guessing there will be three princes for each CD. Of course, as this is Oujisama (warai) that we are dealing with I doubt the CDs will be very serious, but just imagine dating some of them. This is going to be hilarious. More info will be released soon on the official site.

Also: the cover for the first Radio CD is on the right.

Weekly News Post

Late News Post is late as always. Also, all reviews from May have been added to the review page. We've reached over 200 reviews, yay!!



Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurenagusa
Rejet is working on something new: 新撰組黙秘録勿忘草 (Shinsengumi Mokuhiroku Wasurengusa, Shinesengumi Secret Files Forget-me-not, after this simply Wasurenagusa) is a series of situation CD's based on the Shinsengumi and the concept "what if I could have been there". The series will use the Dummy Head Mic.

6CD's have been planned for now: Saito Hajime (CV: Takahashi Naozumi) on 2012.07.25, Okita Souji (Image to the right, CV: Suzuku Tatsuhisa) on 2012.08.29, Kondou Isame (CV: Inoue Kazuhiko) on 2012.09.26, Toudou Heisuke (CV: Shimono Hiro) on 2012.10.31, Hijikata Toshizou (CV: Hosoya Yoshimasa) on 2012.11.28, and finally Yamazki Susumu (CV: Morikawa Toshiyuki) on 2012.12.26.

With each CD comes a ticket, if you buy all 6 you can apply for a special drama CD which has all of the characters interacting with each other. So far this seems to be a drama CD only series, but you never know what Rejet has planned for us...



Ojisama Senka
The cast for Ojisama Senka vol. 5 and 6 have been announced. Vol.5 will have Genda Tesshou, Hamada Kenji, and Tobita Nobuo. Vol.6 will have Ishizuka Unshou, Ebara Masashi, and Touichi Hiroki. The titles for both vol aren't final yet, but for now they are titled "itsumo no tokoro de" and "escape".

When the cast for vol.5 was announced it first said that it would be Hayami Shou instead of Tobita Nobuo, but one day later an apology saying that this was false. Tobita Nobuo was announced as cast one day after that. The apology mentions "a confirmation mistake on behalf of [his] agency" as the reason why he can no longer participate.

A mobile game on Gree has also been released, but unfortunately I have no further info on that.