[June 2016] A Little Bit of Each

It's been hard trying to find something to recommend. For a change, I'll be giving you guys this month a little bit of each. Some music. Some manga. Some stuff I recently discovered.

December 2014: Asian Inspired Soundtracks

I have a personal love for traditional Asian instrumentals that I think is not used enough in soundtracks. Many soundtracks for Asian cinema are inclined to imitate the western orchestra and only strives to imitate. It doesn't live up to the reputation of award winning classical composers. That is partially the reason why I like it when composers use elements from their own culture. It is because you know yourself the best so why not use it to its fullest extent. Another reason is that it sets you apart from other composers so that not everyone sounds the same. It's also very nice to listen to fusion soundtracks where they mix both Asian cultures with western sounds. I gathered a list of soundtracks I came across over the years. There were some names that didn't make it on to the list because I felt that it wasn't too defined for this particular category.

Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto

This soundtrack uses a lot of flute and bells to give its cultural references. Of course there are some classical elements to it being that the Bakumatsu era had European influences. The prologue track that they play at the beginning of each episode is my favorite song because it embodies that destiny and fate theme that they talk about and the consequences that come along with it.

Saiunkoku Monogatari

I didn't like the first soundtrack as much as I liked the second one. It stays very true to the Chinese instrumentals in terms of composition and throws in more twists to it like some foreign percussion. The flute pieces at times doesn't feel too Chinese, but of a different culture. Overall a very light soundtrack to listen to.

Double Movie Review: Onmyouji I and II

I absolutely love supernatural exorcism dramas of all sorts. Being that I love studying occult of many cultures, I like occult used in stories. Sometimes occult is used poorly like blood in an action flick. It holds no purpose. The Onmyouji movies use Onmyoudou and Shinto beliefs. Onmyoudou has its origins from Chinese Daoism and adapted with Shinto influences. Hence similarities in rituals like hand signs and seals are commonly used. The movies are very accurate with the historical period such as costumes and set design. I was particularly impressed with the atmosphere the movie presented overall. The Heian period of Japan was relatively peaceful hence court nobles were often times drinking and composing poetry.