Heart Supplement Vol.1 - Namida Jikan

ハートサプリメントシリーズ vol.1 涙時間

Label: Honey Bee
Based on: Original
Released: 2012.09.28
Official site: http://www.honeybee-cd.com/hs


The Heart Supplement series is a series for when you need someone at your side, like when you feel down or like in this case; when you've been crying. In Namida Jikan ("Tearful Times") Yuuya and Shuu try too cheer you up after you've been crying.

The CD begins with both of them explaining how to use the CD. Basically they tell you listen to the CD when you feel like crying, and that you shouldn't hold back but just cry as much as you like. Both of them tell you that you should come see them if you ever feel like crying, after which Shuu teases Yuuya by saying that he might end up crying with you.


Just the two of them slightly joking around and telling you that they will cheer you up if you are down in the first track is enough to cheer me up. You can already feel the kindness and the actual CD hasn't even started yet. And it only gets sweeter in the rest of the CD.

Shuu (CV: Yusa Kouji) is the first one to cheer you up. There are three tracks where Shuu cheers you up / stays by your side. Each track is a different situation. In each one you've been crying, but the way Shuu cheers you up is different. You can listen to all of the tracks in one go, but they don't make a story or anything.

I liked the first two. Shuu tells you it is OK to cry and just sort of stays by your side. The third one is a bit strange though. He tells you that he won't leave you alone, and that you should just ignore him being there and cry all you want... and starts reading a book while sitting beside you. If it were me there is no way I'd be able to cry all I want with someone happily reading a book beside me...

There is also a track for when you've stopped crying. As a reward he hugs you and is just being super sweet.

After this we get Yuuya (CV: Shimono Hiro) his part, which follows the same pattern: three tracks in which he tries to cheer you up and one for after you've stopped crying. While Shuu just silently stays by your side, Yuuya tries to cheer you up more actively. In the first track he tries to cheer you up by doing a magic trick (and failing).

Yuuya isn't being entirely honest with his own feelings, he obviously likes you but everytime he says something that shows his feelings he covers it up. The final track where you've stopped crying and fallen asleep and he is still sitting beside you is super cute though.

The last two tracks are for when you've stopped crying. Shuu makes you hot milk, while yuuya makes you omuraisu (with onions in it, so now he is crying because he is chopping the onions).

Because the CD is meant to cheer you up whenever you feel like crying it is never mentioned why you are crying, the characters just stay by your side and let you cry or try to cheer you up.

Personally I liked Shuu his calm manner better than Yuuya his more active personality. On the other hand, Yuuya is such a cute idiot that you can't help but smile at his actions. But no matter which one you like better; they'll be sure to cheer you up.


Conclusion:
I didn't really have high expectations but... this seems like it could really cheer you up when you are down. Both characters are super sweet (in a kind, cheering you up manner). This really made me wish for someone at my side whenever I feel down, although I guess I'll be fine now that I have this CD xD


PS: Yes I know Honey Bee has romanized Shuu his name as 'Syu', but it hurts my eyes to see it written like that so I'm sticking with Shuu xD

Ketsueikigata Danshi Character Drama CD A Type

血液型男子 キャラクタードラマCD 「A型」

Company: Frontier Works
Based on: Original
Released: 2009.08.26
Official site: http://danshi.me/blood/index.html


In Ketsuekigata Danshi several High School students are thrown into a dormitory because of an experiment by the school principal. All of them have a different blood type, which is exactly why the principal chose them, but what exactly he hopes to achieve with this experiment is unclear. Either way, they will have to deal with their new lives from now on.

The A Type CD puts the focus on Souma Aichirou (CV: Sakurai Takahiro) who is of course an A Type (mainly meaning that he is very serious). The CD starts with Aichirou complaining about the fact that he couldn't study because he had to move to his new house (where he is living together with the other characters). After that he overhears his housemates Akabane Hibiki (B Type, CV: Nakamura Yuichi) and Shirakawa Rio (O Type, CV: Suzuki Tatsuhisa) talking to each other on how they got bad grades and have to take a resit. When it turns out Kurosaki Miyabi (AB Type, CV: Kakihara Tetsuya) has to take a resit as well Aichirou flips and tells them that they will be studying at home for the weekend.

The next day Aichirou wakes them up rather forcefully (only Miyabi is already awake) and forces them to study. None of them want to because they already have plans, but they end up being forced to study anyway. He locks every door and window on the first floor so that they can't escape either. When they finally manage to distract him by asking him for drinks they try to escape through a second floor window. Kurosaki nearly falls of the balcony in his escape attempt and is saved by Aichirou, after which he still runs off anyway.

In the end, Aichirou ends up cleaning the house while the others go out and play. All of them return early because they are feeling guilty though. It turns out Aichirou saw that he was in the wrong as well, and he prepared dinner for everyone. Although... when they mention that they will properly study he switches back into his normal attitude xD

After the main story there is a situation part where you are studying together with Aichirou, who is being adorably clumsy.

The interaction between all the characters was fun to listen to. Of course they are all archetypes for each blood type, which results in hilarious chaos. The principal (CV: Yusa Kouji) also adds to said chaos by being a hilarious eccentric. Kurosaki is arguably the weirdest of them all, thanks to always being spaced out and talking in a really slow manner, but all of them are quirky and fun.

Aichirou is strict and serious, like a proper A Type. His entire family has names with "A" btw, his brother is Aijirou, and his sister Aiko. (The pronunciation of their names is closer to "Ei" if you'd write it in Japanese, but this way the link to A Type is made. All of the guys have the letter(s) for their blood type in their name). Aichirou is also very family orientated, as is shown in his phone call with his family, where he is instantly worried about whether they are eating properly etc.

The freetalk starts in character, after which is switches to normal. Everyone talks a bit about their blood type and whether there are times when they think that they are actually a different blood type (in Japan blood types are used as a horoscope, so every blood type is believed to have several character traits). When Kakihara Testuya does his talk everyone keeps inserting references to Germany (German AB-Type, questions about sausages and beer xD). The end of the free talk is once again in character.

A short -and chaotic- preview for the B Type CD is also included, in which Hibiki gives a short introduction to his story.


Conclusion:
Somehow I had pictured are more situation CD type scenario, but this is mostly about the boys their interaction with each other. Which is brilliant, so no complaints there. Looking at Miyabi his character description it seems like he is two-faced, so I sort of hoped that they would show that a tiny bit as well, but I guess I'll have to listen to his own CD for that.

Honeymoon Vol.4: Kashiwagi Ryou

Honeymoon vol.4 柏木稜

Company: Fortissimo

Based on: Original

Released: 2012.04.28

Official Site: http://www.otome-ff.jp/work/work10.html

In the Honeymoon series you get a chance to go on your honeymoon with you brand new husband. Scenes from the proposal, the wedding, your honeymoon, and when you return are all included. Your groom this time is Kashiwagi Ryou (CV: Yusa Kouji) the young president of the company where you work.

The CD starts with Ryou recalling how you met. Without knowing that he was actually the company president you walked up to him at work saying that one of his buttons was loose, and offered to attach it again. Intrigued he asked you out on a date. You dated for a few times before you asked you to be his girlfriend, and only after you accepted he revealed who he was. You've been hiding your relationship all this time, and he wants to bring it out in the open. Not by revealing that you are dating, but by marrying you.

A little while later he comes back home late while you are watching a travel program you like, which covers Hong Kong this time. Ryou says he has never been there and would like to go, so you decide to go there. He won't be able to take time off right after your wedding though, so you go on your honeymoon before you get married. Ryou asks you to let him plan all of it.

I will take the easy route and just summarize the entire honeymoon as follows: Rich. From traveling around Hong Kong in a limousine, to staying in a top class hotel, to stuff like Peking duck and shark-fin soup, to eventually going to the casinos in Macau, everything just screams rick. I was saying Otoya was spending money like it is water in vol.2, Ryou is also a big spender.

Different from the others Ryou doesn't seem to feel like waiting until the final night for the action though. When you first arrive he also seems in the mood. Unfortunately the scene gets cut off, so we still have to wait until the final night. And I could swear you hear undressing sounds during the kissing. Or mabey I'm just getting ahead of myself.

The final track is when you've returned to Japan, and Ryou is giving a speech at your wedding. I failed to be really moved by it though *is shot*.

Ryou really does everything for you, and you are being spoiled to no end. He doesn't seem to mind spending money to make you happy. How on earth you didn't know he was your employer is a mystery to me though. Another thing that bothered me is that Ryou speaks Japanese to the staff of the restaurant when you arrive. Either all high class restaurant in Hong Kong come with Japanese speaking staff, or someone overlooked something here.

Ryou is described as being slightly S on the official site, and while he does tease you a bit it could have been more. Unfortunately this series is much too candy coated for that. Ryou is a little less sweet than Yuuto and Daichi and more like Otoya though.

In the free talk Yusa first says this was a bit embarrassing to do, and then follows with a "just kidding". He hopes that this made you feel like you went to Hong Kong yourself, and also says that you might be able to go there yourself. Although you probably shouldn't eat Peking Duck and stuff like that or you might go over your budget xD 


Conclusion
This was a little less sweet again, but also featured a groom who obviously has too much money again. In fact, Ryou and Otoya might actually be very alike?!?. Either way, this vol was a bit too unrealistic for me. Luckily, the next vol does a better job at that, so look forward to the review for that!!


ps: this is my favourite cover in this series.

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.

Fujoshi no Mikata

腐女子のミカタ

Company: Motto! Entertainment.
Based on: Fujoshi?
Released: 2012.03.21
Official Site: http://www.movic.co.jp/book/radio/fujoshi/index.html

Fujoshi no totsugu kata (How to marry when you're a fujoshi) was a CD is that you have been proposed to, but you hadn't told your boyfriend that you are a fujoshi yet. Just as you're were wondering what to do 5 butlers appear and claim that they want to help you. This time the situation is not that dire, but the fujoshi all over the world Japan are in trouble, and our 6 butlers are here to help again.

Unlike the first CD, where one butler was your main help in each track, they all try to help you this time. The butlers are still the same: The cool Aoi Ryuuji (CV: Toriumi Kousuke), The hotheaded Akagi Eichi (CV: Sakurai Takahiro) , the princely Midoriyama Shion (CV: Okiayu Ryoutarou), the no-longer-trainee-but-now-novice Kikawa Miki (CV: Ishida Akira), the sadistic Kurosaki Goro (CV: Yusa Kouji), and -now actually there from the beginning- the legendary Goshirakawa (CV: Kondo Takashi).

They are holding a meeting on how to help fujoshi all over the country, when the emergency bell rings. Arriving on scene to find their client collapsed, a re-enactment of a highschool club scenario helps them to get our victim revived. The problem is the lack of Moe in the workplace, so our butlers come up with all kinds of strategies. From the subtle use of small fandom-items such a straps and catchphrases to carefully find out whether there are any other fujoshi in your office, to shipping your co-workers for personal moe.

The second problem is what to do when you want to confess to someone, so they practice various -and mostly unrealistic- confession scenes with you, and tell you not to worry in case your confession is refused. (if someone were to comfort me like that, I am almost hoping I'd get refused).

In the third track they think of all kinds of things that could be wrong, and of course their client has all of these problems (a deadline for a doujinshi, no more space to put things, no space on her harddrive, etc). The main problem however is the deadline. They come up with a nice little cardgame to decide pairing. There are cards that describe someone their job and age (student, salaryman, etc) and cards with personalities on them, you draw two of each to decide what your main characters are going to be. (How exactly you are going to make those pairings work is left in the middle).

In the fourth track their client has money problems, so they come up with all kinds of ways to save on money, and how to do a job interview. Still, you might not want to follow Kurosaki his instructions to answer "69" when asked what your favourite number is. The best part is probably when say raising vegetables on your balcony to save money, and eventually gijinka (personify) them, giving al of them fitting but hilarious personalities).

In the last case their client is having troubles studying for her exams. The idea here is to lock all your stuff away and seal it with something of your favourite fandom that you would have to break to reach your stuff, so that you really think twice before you open it again. After that they give some tips on how to make your studying more moe, and turn the arrival of Perry his ships and the opening of Japan INTO A BL SCENE. Ok, just really suggestive phrasing, but it is hilarious none the less. Also, they declare maths to be tsundere.

In the final track they all say some moe lines, go Power Rangers on us again, and say that they will always be there to help a fujoshi in need.

Just like before I've been laughing far too much thanks to this CD. Although I really did miss a lot of references this time. I knew when a reference was being made, but I just couldn't tell of what of who it was. Like in the first track they use a lot of catchphrases, and I know a lot of those, but I don't know who they belong to.

Our butlers have picked up a new little trick too; saying "Oui Monsieur" whenever they follow someone their instructions. It is a bit butchered and just made me giggle like an idiot, but it is funny none the less.


Conclusion:
You might really have to be a bit of a fujoshi to really enjoy this. Then again, if you know enough of the lifestyle like myself it is still plenty of fun. The solutions they come up with are still hilarious (gijinka fruits and veggies, really? Someone make me this please xD) and you can't really go wrong with that many butlers in one CD to begin with.

Shukujo Yousei ~Shitsuji ga Oshieru Seiyou Ryouri no Manner~

 

淑女養成CD ～執事が教える西洋料理のマナー～

Company: Team Entertainment
Based on: Table manners
Released: 2008.09.17
Official Site: http://www.team-e.co.jp/sp/archive/ladycd.html


In this CD your two butlers teach you the table manners for a formal party. Starting from arriving at the party, to the table manners, to writing a thank you note afterwards.

In the prologue you just arrive home and the butler Stuart (CV:Yusa Kouji) welcomes you home with tea. He explains that it was suddenly decided that you are to attend a party that evening, so your father has asked him and Robert (CV: Kamiya Hiroshi) to teach you the proper manners.

In five tracks the two of them explain different aspects of a dinner party: arriving at the party, the tableware, how to use a napkin, how to eat, and a few other things to remember.
Stuart explains most of the rules, while Robert acts as the less experienced one, asking things so that they can elaborate on some points.

Most of the things they explained were things I already knew, although there were a few small things that I missed. Then again, I like things like etiquette so I've been doing some reading on that before. Still, it is fun to hear them explaining the rules. The explanations are easy to understand, and despite that all they do is explain etiquette, it doesn't feel like someone is reading a rule book out loud.

Of course, much of the charm of this CD comes from the fact that the two of them are butlers, and thus address you as "ojou-sama" and use very polite speech.


Conclusion:
It is a pity that there are not many chances to practice what they teach you in this CD, because it is an amazingly well written guide. (At least, at don't know how many white tie dinners you have attended as of yet, but unfortunately they don't feature heavily on my agenda).

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.

Kareshi Igai 2 ~Joushi to ayamachi~

彼氏以外2 ～上司との過ち～

Company: Cineria
Based on: Original
Released: 2011.12.24
Official site: http://www.ike-men.net


Kareshi Igai is a series that gives you the strange experience of... cheating. With a drama CD. Yeah. The concept here is that you already have a boyfriend, but that there is also someone else in your life. This second CD has you cheating on your boyfriend with your direct superior at work.

At work you are just a temporary worker and her boss, however no-one knows that you have the key to his apartment and occasionally go there after work. Makabe Hikari (CV: Yusa Kouji) seems to be cold and all about work, and well, that is actually just how he is.

Of course, there are reasons for that, and you will discover those in the course of this drama. The first is that his family situation was... less than fortunate. His mother was abusive, making him distrust women in general, and thanks to his parents unhappy marriage his doesn't believe in love to begin with. And the fact that a rich business partner () took enough interest in him to give him his apartment probably didn't help.

Each track in this CD is a (short) scene from your moments together. The first few ones establish your current situation, and after that you gradually discover more of Makabe his situation. You don't seem to be entirely naive though. Not just that you are cheating on your own boyfriend, but you seem to know full well that you are not his only girl.

There are two things that I noticed about this drama: the fact that there is no background music, and that what you hear is really only one side of the conversation. Makabe almost never repeats what you have supposedly said, a tactic that is commonly used in situation CDs. Personally, I think it is pretty amazing that they managed to write it in such a way that the entire story is completely understandable and the conversation seems natural.

That there is no background music is kind of logical. This is supposed to be a 'simulation' that lets you experience how it feels to cheat. Real life doesn't have background music, so there no background music here either. And this actually makes some scenes more intense. When Makabe has sort of broken down and his telling his story, that voice alone is enough to give me goosebumps. In the beginning I thought Yusa sounded kind of flat, but in later scenes there is so much emotion.

Something else I liked was the addition of another character, Asahi (CV: Kibe Shouta). Asahi is a subordinate of Makabe and a bit of an idiot, but he livens up the CD. The track which is written one of his diary entries is hilarious. It is part of the ending (sort of) and it made me laugh so much.

Speaking of the ending, this time the default ending is a happy one. If you listen to the extra track, there is also a 'bad' ending. Although, in the case of cheating one could wonder what a good or bad ending is.


Conclusion:
Despite me disliking the idea of 'cheating', I really enjoyed this CD. This is not your normal happy fluffy love situation, and a really emotive work. At least I became fully engrossed in it. Ah well, enjoy your cheating experience, and like I said the last time: let's keep the cheating to this CD (*ﾟ∇^*)

Mousou Esthe II

妄想エステⅡ

Company: 5pb
Based on: original
Released: 2010.12.22
Official Site: http://5pb.jp/moso

Mousou Este is a combination between a drama CD and virtual beauty treatments. You hear the staff of the fictional beauty salon 'Etreinte" talk among each other, and between that there are beauty treatments by one of the staff. The treatment tracks have been recorded with the dummy head microphone, so be prepared to hear them whisper into your ear.

This time the CD starts with Kagami Subaru (CV: Suwabe Junichi) as guest in a radio show, where he introduces his beauty salon. The hostess of the show seems very charmed by him. The next track is back at the salon, where Kagami, Maya Shinnosuke (CV: Taniyama Kisho) and Misaki (CV: Yusa Kouji) are talking about the radio show and... comparing their hands. But the way they keep talking about 'who has the largest' directed my mind in a whoooole other direction.

Back to the order of the day, it is time for Misaki his treatment. He gives you a face massage, although the wording, while describing exactly what he is doing, can still put your mind on other things. The same goes for Shinnosuke his treatment afterwards. Both their voices are so relaxing that my mind simply drifted off and their voices just floated around me, while I completely forgot that they were actually saying something.

In the next scene Odagiri Eito (CV: Terashima Takuma) is worried because this will be the first time to actually give a treatment to a customer. The rest somewhat tries to comfort and tease him at the same time. His treatment is a footmassage, but he talks a bit too much for my tastes (can't help it, he is nervous after all). His comment that this 'is the first time for both of you' made me laugh though. However I remained giggly for the rest of the CD, so whether that is actually a good thing. Anyway, he is a really pure and cute character.

After Eito is finished the rest also enters the room to give you a special treatment. I find it hard to imagine 4 estheticians working at the same time, but their various voices together are highly lethal for sure.

I have to say, this series has a way with words. While they really are just talking about the treatments my mind is definitely thinking of entirely different things. That aside, I fell asleep multiple times while trying to listen to this CD, especially during the first half.

The characters are less quirky than in the first CD, except for the parakeet Noel (CV: Hatano Wataru) who returns in this instalment as well. This made the day to day conversations of the staff a little less interesting, but at the same time they are less noisy than last time, avoiding the 'wake-up call' issue.


Conclusion:
The focus definitely shifted a bit more from relaxation to adding a little ero in here, but they did it in a good way and if you don't want to hear it you can simply ignore it. Above all else it is still very relaxing to listen to. My only problem was that I'm not very knowledgeable about how various parts of your body are called, so at times I wasn't quite sure what they were doing to me exactly (yes yes, you're massaging my head, but how exactly... xD)

Fujoshi no Totsugikata

腐女子の嫁ぎ方

Company: Motto! Entertainment.
Based on: Fujoshi?
Released: 2011.09.22


Fujoshi no totsugu kata (How to marry when you're a fujoshi) is a CD for all the fujoshi in the world,  Whether you are into BL or a game otaku. The concept of the CD is that you have been proposed to, but you haven't told your boyfriend that you are a fujoshi yet. Just as you're wondering what to do 5 butlers appear and claim that they want to help you.

The first track introduces all of the characters, and each one of them has a different approach as to what to do. Depending on what you want to do you can go to a specific track. Or listen to all of them of course. In each track one butler takes the lead, while all of them discuss on what to do. The choices are as follows:

track 2: hide that you are a fujoshi (Aoi Ryuuji)
track 3: you're not sure whether this is true love (Kikawa Miki)
track 4: admit that you are a fujoshi (Midoriyama Shion)
track 5: convince your husband to become a fudanshi (Akagi Eiichi)
track 6: give up being a fujoshi (Kurosaki Goro)

The first choice is to hide the fact that you are a fujoshi, but continue being one. Aoi Ryuuji (CV: Toriumi Kousuke) is the one to guide you in this. The solutions that he offers are actually quite possible. So everyone looking to hide their fujoshi side, give it a listen xD I had to laugh so hard at the remark of making game related comments while cutting onions, and the training on how what to answer in difficult situations.

The second option is that doubting whether you want to give up being a fujoshi probably means that this is not true love, so you decide not to marry. Your butler this time is Kikawa Miki (CV: Ishida Akira) who describes himself as a "younger brother / puppy" type. This was my least favorite track personally. Note the references to Shuukan Soine and Hitsuji de Oyasumi.

The next choice is to confess that you are a fujoshi, and in this you are guided by Midoriyama Shion (CV: Okiayu Ryoutarou). His reactions and voice are so wonderfully over dramatic. One of the best things about the track is that the first part takes place in your...bathroom. That and some of the solutions to possible problems are hilarious.

The next choice is not only confessing that you are a fujoshi, but going so far as to turn your husband into a fudanshi. The hotheaded Akagi Eichi (CV: Sakurai Takahiro) is the one to guide you in this. Some blatant karami jokes are made here, and most of the solutions are unrealistic but it is hilarious. It is sad that the track is so short compared to the rest. (Also, Prince of Tennis and Lupin the 3rd references)

The last option is giving up being a fujoshi all together, and the sadistic butler Kurosaki Goro (CV: Yusa Kouji) is the one to train and torture you to get so far. But in the end he too shows compassion, saying that doing this for love is admirable but that you should also think about yourself and being a fujoshi is part of who you are. And you can't miss it, but they use the famous line from Kuroshitsuji here. As well as making a tokusatsu (think power rangers) parody.

Finally, after all problems have been solved, the elusive white butler Goshirakawa (CV: Kondo Takeshi) turns up... and is first turned into a punch bag due to a slight misunderstanding. More parodies on tokusatsu follow. The final track has all of the butlers say one last (cliché) line to you before they leave.

This is one of the most hilarious CD's that I've listened to lately. The seiyuu were clearly having fun recording this, which makes it a lot of fun to listen to. All of the references to various games, manga, anime, novels, and whatmore make it all the more enjoyable, though I'm sure I've missed half of them.


Conclusion:
You don't have to be a fujoshi to enjoy this, though you'll need to understand fujoshi/otaku life a bit for it to have to maximum effect. It is a hilarious work for everyone and if you get the chance you should definitely listen to it.

Halloween+Town

 ハロウィン+タウン

Company: Frontierworks
Based on: Mobile game
Released: 2011.09.23
Official Site: http://www.halloween-t.com/


Halloween+Town is an otome game for mobile phones, an online comic is also published by Zero-Sum online. In Halloween+Town the human world and demonworld ("Makai") coexist, even though most people don't know the Makai exists. The cast of Halloween+Town all live as normal humans going to school, however at night they revert to there actual forms: wherewolf Ookami Shirou (CV: Kimura Ryouhei), Invisible man Ichinomiya Tooru (CV: Hino Satoshi), Vampire Kuroki Takaya (CV: Yusa Kouji), Jack-o-Lantern Uryuu Minami (CV: Fukuyama Jun), Frankenstein Rikudou Yuudai (CV: Suwabe Junichi), and.... a pumpkin (CV: Takemoto Eiji).

The scene starts with Shirou, Tooru, Takaya, Minami complaining that there is too much homework during the summer vacation and that they want actually go somewhere. After various ideas to decide to go camping. Yuudai and the Pumpking tag along for the trip.

Of course the trip wouldn't be complete without some activities. After managing to successfully raise their tent (despite the Pumpkin doing his best to interfere) they go on a short bicycle trip, ending with Yuudi and the Pumpkin plunging into a lake xD  In the evening everyone tries their hand at cooking something, which ends surprisingly successful. And through all of the, the Pumpkin creates immense amounts of chaos.

After Diner is finished all of them spend some time watching the stars when they realize that the Pumpkin is missing. Wondering whether he simply wandered off or got stuck somewhere they decide to go and search for him. A little chaos later they have found him, apparently searching for some special herbs that he wants everyone to eat. However when they do... (^-~)

The Seiyuu also comment on this in the cast talk, but this drama CD is light hearted and there is absolutely no serious or dark content (as opposed to the original work, apparently). The characters sound like they are really having fun, but the setting is a bit generic.

The cast talk itself was pretty funny, Takemoto-san acts almost the same like the Pumpkin, and everybody is just fooling around. The topic is which member of the cast would be the most fun to tease, and poor Takemoto-san is chosen by everyone, even by Fukuyama and Suwabe-san who did the recording or their own and therefore both have a sepparate comment after the rest.


Conclusion:
I feel like I'm missing out a bit because I don't know the game, but more than that they could have made better use of the night-time personalities of the cast. This way it was a bit of a generic story. However the pumpkin was hilarious. Also, isn't a story that has Halloween in the title, but takes place mid-summer... a bit weird? xD

Shiawase Kissa Sanchoume

幸福喫茶3丁目

Company: Marine Entertainment
Based on: Manga
Released: 2007.01.25


I can do this... I can review something normal once in a while... Wait, maybe Are you Alice? can count as normal? Or maybe not... either way!

Shiawase Kissa Sanchoume (which would translate into something like "[the] Happiness Cafe on block 3") is a drama CD based on the manga of the same name. 16 year old Takamura Uru (CV: Kanda Akemi)  works parttime at the cafe "Bonheur" together with fellow part-timers Shindou Satsuki (CV: Toriumi Kousuke) and Nishimura Ichirou (CV: Sugiyama Noriaki). Working at the cafe fills Uru her days with happiness.

The first tracks of the drama CD are more of an introduction to the world of Shiawase Kissa. We meet everyone at Bonheur, regular customer Yamasaki Mitsuki (CV: Toyoguchi Megumi), and sons of a nearby wagashi (japanese sweets) shop; Abekawa Kashiwa (CV: Yusa Kouji) and Sou (Morikubo Shoutarou) and their little sister Sakura (CV: Tanii Asuka). If you haven't read the manga (like me) this is a nice introduction, as it everything you need to enjoy the story.

After that the actual story starts. The owner of a nearby french restaurant (CV: Yasumoto Hiroki) asks Uru  to be the model for a poster for their upcoming dinner for couples and newly weds. Uru agrees, but she still needs someone to act as the groom. Of course, all four of the above guys want the role of Uru her groom (ok, except maybe for Shindou who acts indifferent). Eventually they decide to decide who can be Uru her groom by holding a contest to decide. The one who gives Uru the present that makes her happiest wins and becomes her 'groom'.

The charm of this drama CD (and the manga as a whole) lies in the quirky personality of the characters. Shindou seems like an ever grumpy and violent person but actually bakes all the cakes for the cafe. Ichirou falls asleep the instant he gets hungry, and only wakes up again when you force-feed him something. Mitsuki is a super tall model, but is actually still in junior high and can eat for two. The Abekawa brothers speak kansai-ben, which is funny enough on its own. Sakura is just your standard super cute baby sister that every series needs.


Conclusion:
Any conversation between these characters is already funny, and the gifts they give Uru only make things better. While you could argue that this is just another shoujo manga, it is a very funny one and that is all that counts.

Aohige ~Itan no Kizoku~

青ひげ～異端の貴族～

Company: Momo & Grape
Based on: Bluebeard / Gilles de Rais
Released: 2011.05.03


This story is part of momo&grapes their "men's only" series, meaning that all characters are voiced by male seiyuu. The story is loosely based on the story "Bluebeard" by Charles Pernault (which in return is sometimes believed to have been based on the story of Gilles de Rais).

This story starts as a romance, however it turn much darker as it progresses. Jeanne Asran (CV: Hino Satoshi) is about to be married to count Gilles de Rais (CV: Yusa Kouji). At the time of the wedding they have never met before, but the marriage is a happy one.

However around the time of their marriage, a serial killing involving young boys occurs. Because Gilles gives scholarships to young boys in the area the head of the investigation, Lance (CV: Sakurai Takahiro) suspects Gilles as the culprit. When Henri (CV: Kaji Yuuki) one of the students that received a scholarship and also worked at the castle where Gilles and Jeanne reside disappears, Lance his suspicions grow stronger and stronger.

The end of the story holds a few surprises, so I won't say anything about it.

The voice acting in this piece is wonderful. Like someone at Hibiki already said, especially Hino as Jeanne did a very good job. His voice is absolutely believable as a woman. The story alone is touching enough, but with the incredible voice acting it really becomes very emotional. This is the first drama cd in a long time that really got me to cry. Near the end the tears were literally pouring down my face ･ﾟ･(ﾉД`;)･ﾟ･

Another interesting thing that has to do with the recording of the voices and sounds is that they've made good use of stereo sounds. When to characters are having a conversation you can hear that one is standing more to the left and the other more to the right, which helps to give the impression that you are really there and watching the situation unfold.

In stark contrast with the emotional content and music of the main drama the cast comment suddenly starts with a much too happy sounding Yusa. All members do their best to make a serious comment, however most of them (especially Yusa) are just to giggly to make it sound serious. Which is a good thing, because it lifts your spirits after this emotional and somewhat depressing work. (Also, Hino says he was uncertain about his own acting as a woman, especially in the beginning when he had to play the 10 year old Jeanne).


Conclusion:
Like I said this is a very emotional drama. However it is absolutely worth listening. Both Yusa and Hino did a wonderful job as Gilles and Jeanne respectively. Not that the other seiyuu their performance was any less, but the performance of these two really stand out (they are, after all, the main characters).

万葉恋歌 ～藤の章～

Manyourenka - Fuji no Shou

Company: Honey Bee
Based on: Manyoushuu
Released: 2009.02.14
Official Site: http://www.honeybee-cd.com/manyou_top.html


万葉恋歌 (Manyou Renka, "Manyou Love Poem") is a series by Honey Bee that is based on the Manyoushuu. Written in ancient Japanese most of these poems are hard to understand, but this series explains the poems and turns them into a comprehensible story.

This is the second volume (released simultaneously with the first though) and is voiced by Yusa Kouji. The story this time starts while our characters are in their last year of college. Yusa plays the role of a bit of a ladies man, who plays around with several girlfriends. He also shows an interest in you, the listener, though this seems to be a bit more serious. However due to a misunderstanding he assumes that you have someone else you like.

Like the first volume each track is an interpretation of a classic poem. At the end of each scene the poem it is based on is read and its explanation is given. However it might me the atmosphere of the work, but I felt like the poems were less fitting this time. Still I'm impressed how they make a single story out of all these unrelated poems.

Again, track 21 to 39 are all of the poems used in this work.


Conclusion:
While I enjoyed the first one more this is still a nice story. One thing that bothered me however is that Yusa his voice acting somehow sounds unnatural to me at times (heaven knows why, because his acting is usually superb).

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.

お仕事男子 vol.2 職業 医者

 

Oshigoto Danshi Vol.2 - Shokugyou Isha

Company: Broccoli

Based on: Original

Released: 2009.11.25

Official Site: http://www.broccoli.co.jp/cd/sp/oshigoto/

Oshigoto Danshi is a series of drama CDs in which you meet various guys through your work (as an OL for Green Entertainment Productions, a company that manages idols and actors).

This volume centers on Njnomiya Masato (CV: Yusa Kouji), the docter we already glimpsed in vol.1. You start off with a bit of a brilliant cliche. You first meet when you are assigned to help him  with a health check at your company, but bump into him again that evening when he finds a kitten that you've been taken care of near your home. The poor thing is malnourished but you're not allowed to have pets where you live so you ask him to take care of it. Of course you also visit a few times and that is how your relationship develops.

Masato is your typical calm and collected intelligent type. However when he gets flustered because the kitten is in bad shape or, in the end, because you get hurt he is just to lovable.

In many of these series there is a different heroine for every entry in the series, but for oshigoto danshi the girl in question is the same girl every time, so all the characters are interrelated. Masato and Kanou (CV: Kishio Daisuke) from vol.1 are cousins, so when Masato comes to visit you near your work and Kannou sees you he comes to interrupt and in the following conversation you get to see a whole different side of Masato. Kannou sounds a lot younger than in his own CD btw.

I had the free talk for this one and Yusa amuses me. He is complaining about the heroine is the same person and that that makes him jealous, so he tries to convince you to come to the 'Ninomiya side' xD

Conclusion:

Yusa has me convinced to come to the Ninomiya side. Kannou his all round lovableness is nice, but I like the intelligent type more. Masato is more mature as well (which shoudn't be surprising, considering that he is 4 years older). I suppose it is just a matter of personal taste, but Masato is one of my favorites in the series.

お仕事男子 vol.1 職業 サラリーマン

Oshigoto Danshi - Salaryman

Company: Broccoli

Based on: Original

Released: 2009.11.25

Official Site: http://www.broccoli.co.jp/cd/sp/oshigoto/

Oshigoto Danshi is a series of drama CDs in which you meet various guys through your work (as an OL for Green Entertainment Productions, a company that manages idols and actors). 

This is the first CD, and it pairs you off with salaryman Kanou Tatsuya (CV: Kishio Daisuke). Even though they say salaryman his job is far from the normal desk job, but no complaints there. In the company you work for it is custom that two people work together as a pair, one does the desk work and the other one is out doing all sorts of...things.

The different tracks show you working together. You've just started at the company, so Kanou is the one who has to teach you how everything works in the company. I'm not entirely sure how much time passes in this drama, but it is nice to see your relationship develop a little bit.

I somewhat expected that the setting would be that you're already dating, basically turning into an how-would-it-be-to-date-a.... fill in blank there, but instead you meet for the first time at the beginning of the CD and this basically shows your guy falling in love with you.

Kanou is your typical all-round lovable guy. Always a positive thinker and a hard worker by the sound of it. It is impossible not to like him, although I wonder whether I would actually fall in love with someone like him in reality. Fortunately, this isn't reality so we can just float along on the story. You never become all lovey-dovey, the CD ends where your actual relationship would begin.

And because the world is always a smaller place than you think, Ninomiya Masato (CV: Yusa Kouji) the character for the second CD is Kanou his nephew, and thus makes a more or less cameo appearance.


Conclusion:
I like that you don't start out as dating but that you sort of 'grow' into it. Rather fast, but still. The CD puts you through a few situations at work (normal, succes, failure) 'developing' your relationship in the progress. Even though this volume is labeled 'salaryman' like I said Kanou his work is far from normal, but what do you expect in the entertainment business ;) I wouldn't consider it an absolute 'must listen' but it is cute and entertaining so a good choice none the less.

ヤンデレ天国(ヘブン) ~真誠学園 御家庭編~

Yandere Heaven ~Makoto Gakuen go Katei Hen~

Company: Holic Works
Based On: Original
Release Date: 2010.12.29
Official Site: www.hobirecords.com/yandere/index.html


Yandere Heaven is back, and better. This time the main character is loved a bit too much by her foster father (CV: Yusa Kouji) and her twin brother (CV: Matsubara Daisuke).

< insert obligatory warning about Yandere only being for those who know what they are dealing with here >

This volume was heavy. Like in the previous installments 'you' (the listener) become the object of affection of two rather dangerous characters. However, this time both characters are your family which made the setting somewhat hard to accept for me (Kakeru from the first volume was only adopted, somehow softening the setting). While technically nothing that can be labeled as incest happens, it is still your family that loves you to bits.

This probably made for a far stronger emotional impact, and you should have seen me listening to this. It probably looked very comical, but I was actually cowering at some points. Especially the scene where you have locked yourself in your room and both Naohiro and Hajime are yelling at you made me flinch. In the second volume I was too busy fangirling over Hirakawa-san his voice, but this volume really made me feel uncomfortable at times.

Luckily, the cast talk does away with all that, with Yusa and Matsubara Daisuke happily chatting about the recording, that it was impossible to identify with the characters, that Yusa has no 'dere', and puns. So as chilling as the drama can be, you'll end with a smile on your face.

A small detail I liked was that the characters from previous volumes are mentioned again. (Naohiro mentions Kakeru and Atsushi-senpai, Hajime somehow obtained stuff from Sakae, and even though Takaaki is not mentioned by name (I think) you just KNOW that the doctor they are talking about is him).

Conclusion:
The fact that this volume actually scared me at some points must mean that it was emotionally very affective. Maybe even more than before I should warn that you should only listen to this if you can stomach it. Or when you don't get as emotionally involved as myself (I was talking back to the CD, especially to Naohiro). Oh, and in case this review made you wonder whether I liked it or not: YES I LIKED IT. Me and my twisted mind

官能昔話2~アンデルセン童話~

Kannou Mukashi Banashi 2 ~Andersen Douwa~

Kannou Mukashbanashi is a series that tells well known tales in a... slightly different way. Each volume contains several stories, all done by a different seiyuu. The series uses a special recording method called 3D dummy microphone, a microphone shaped like a head. using this technology you can hear the voice of the seiyuu as if they're talking right into your ear (when using headphones or earphones), and they've made sure that they talk very eroi. This volume contains stories based on the fairy tales by Andersen.

We start out with Inoue Kazuhiko once again explaining that headphones should be used to listen to this drama CD, and testing whether you've put them on properly. This time he instructs you to 'open [the headphone] wider' or in case of earphones 'insert the earphones deeper'. Here we go again~

Like I already mentioned, all of the stories in this volume are based on famous fairy tales by Andersen. Inoue-san once again acts as the person that loosely links all of the stories, by telling you the stories that his master (Andersen) wrote.

The first story is The Little Mermaid and is told by Sakurai Takahiro. We probably all know the Disney version of this one, which actually follows the original pretty closely, except that the original doesn't have a happy end xD This one does follow the original though. As much as I love Sakurai his voice, couldn't bring myself to really like this story. It just didn't leave as much impact as the others.

The second story is that of the Match-selling Girl and is told by Yusa Kouji.
I don't think this is a very well known story, but I might be wrong. At any rate it is a story about a girl who tries to sell matches while it is snowing outside. As she lights a match to try and keep herself warm she sees an image of a warm home with a warm meal that is all to tempting. I know I'd be instantly tempted if a voice like that invited me for sure...

The third story is that of the Snow Queen and is told by Miyano Mamoru. I couldn't remember the story at all to be honest. A magical mirror that in which everything that is beautiful seem ugly and twisted and everything that is ugly and puny will seem beautiful and important breaks and scatters over the world. When the childhood friends Kai and Gerda are playing outside two splinters fall into Kai his eye and heart. Kai changes from kind and warm to cold, and eventually marries the Ice Queen. Gerda goes after him to bring him back. Mamo-chan actually has a pretty versatile voice range, making this story interesting to listen to.

The fourth story is that of the King with Invisible Clothes (I don't know the actual name of the story) and is told by all of the seiyuu. Mamo-chan voices the role of the King who is deceived by two fake tailors (Sakurai and Yusa) into wearing invisible clothes. Like before this last story is less serious, and there is much less ero. Although the scene in which they 'dress' the king is... xD


Conclusion:
Inoue-san his introduction is brilliant just as before. While I didn't like the first story all that much I loved the rest. Hearing these well known stories told this way is just too entertaining. Ehm, my perverted mind has absolutely nothing to do with this. Nothing at all.