Here’s YUI’s latest single released last July 2, 2008.

Summer Song SINGLE

1. Summer Song
2. Oh My God
3. Laugh Away (Acoustic)
4. Summer Song (Instrumental)

Also, a special treat. The PV for Laugh Away ~Acoustic~.

It’s finally over! Although I’m not that happy with the ending and all, it was still a bit gratifying. The one thing I really hate about it is that I don’t have anything to look forward to anymore in the following weeks. There aren’t even any good dramas for this summer as well.

Ok. So what did I not like about the last episode? First off, everyone’s freakin’ happy! I know they SHOULD be, especially considering that all the characters had to go through so much crap, but for the ending to be so.. So, well, kind of PREDICTABLE kind of throws me off a bit. Second, they didn’t have to kill Sosuke. It would have been much better if he actually ended up with Eri, though. She looked like she could’ve handled him pretty well. That brings me to my third point. Why did the beautiful and charismatic Eri got hitched to Ogurin? The weakling, ugly, and OLD Ogurin? Fourth, I was really really really REALLY–DESPERATELY–hoping that Ruka and Takeru would somehow hook up, but we all know what really happened between them. And finally, Michiru just irritates the heck out of me. Don’t ask me why because I have no idea either. The way she smiles, the way she acts. Or maybe it was just Nagasawa Masami’s acting.. Who knows, really.

Here are some screen shots of the final scene (from the SP).

Great acting! She basically stole the show from everyone else, and to portray such a character must have not been that easy. I still can’t believe that she’s just the same age as my older sister. Hopefully, this role (which was basically made for her) will help her get even more recognition in her craft. She might even win a Best Supporting Actress award for this. *Fingers crossed*

Now, tell me, does anybody–ANY ONE OUT THERE AT ALL–feel that this smile is annoying? Even just a teensy weensy bit irritating? Come on! Maybe it’s the way she has her tongue almost sticking out that annoys me. Hmmmm. But on the contrary to what I said about Ueno Juri’s Ruka above, I DO NOT wish she wins the Best Actress award for her role in this. But I actually think she will, though. Michiru was a weak character that makes the audience feel sorry for her, but for me, I was just annoyed at how weak she was. I know it had something to do with her past and all, but still, I just didn’t like it. And for me to confuse the feelings I have towards the character and the actress herself must be a sign that the girl’s acting was pretty good. I don’t even understand myself now. Am I insulting or complimenting her? Haha.

The gay dude with the big ass ears. He was fantastic as well. I’m not sure if he can actually win an award for this, but he was pretty good in playing Takeru. Having a character who was empathic to all the other characters was severely needed in this kind of drama because you never quite know what’s happening unless someone serves it up for you head on. The chemistry between Eita and Ueno Juri was great too. They don’t really look good together, but I just feel good whenever they’re in the scene together. They’re the kind of couple who can’t lead a drama because they’ll do a much better job at portraying a more subtle but substantial couple. Maybe it’s because you can actually feel the real-life friendship they have whenever they act together that when you see them act as a couple (or act towards one), you can’t help but feel a bit mushy inside.

I’ve always thought she was beautiful, even when I first saw her with Ueno Juri and Eita on Nodame Cantabile. She should also be commended for her portrayal of Eiri even though there her character wasn’t given much depth (or screen time) in the drama. I don’t even get how she’s part of the main cast, but her character was still not given that much importance. She even had a theme: Solitude. So, why solitude? Why did the other cabin attendants ignore her in the first few episodes? Why did she not believe in unconditional love? What the hell happened to her that made her like a stone? There were too many questions involving her character and none of them of were properly answered the whole time the drama was aired. And, oh yeah, before I forget. Why, oh why, WHY OGURIN?

Oh yes, Eiri’s hubby. Maybe it was the stylist’s fault, or maybe it was his. Maybe the producers wanted to have a piss take at Matsumoto Jun’s Domyouji and copied his infamous perm. No matter what the reason is, this guy should’ve known that the hairstyle DID NOT IN ANY WAY suit him. He should have figured it out when he looked at himself in the mirror after the stylist was done making fun of with him. Sure, he was cute and all, and his role was made for comic relief, but for him to actually agree to have his hair like this for the FINAL FEW MINUTES OF THE DRAMA was entirely his fault. But I guess what he did was still effective. It got me ranting, didn’t it?

KANPAI!!!

Ahww.. I miss drinking with my friends now. And take a look at Rumi (the baby). She’s looking at her beloved Mama Michiru drinking. That’s the way to teach a baby how to drink properly.

I think the cups are actually on auction. Or are they on sale? I’m not sure myself. You guys can check YesAsia for that.

Finally, the ranting is done. Woah, that was pretty long. I think I’m allowed to do that once in a while. Hehe.

And here’s the tracklist as well. Good thing it was all in Katakana. I could actually practice my Japanese proficiency and put the Japanese course I took last semester to good use. Hehe.

Rasuto Furenzu OST Tracklist

1. Each Living
2. Good Fellows
3. Eternal Course
4. Mind Bender
5. Spiral Heart
6. On Off
7. Dear Friends
8. Inner Circle
9. Lazy Days
10. Little Shine
11. Blind Reminder
12. Snap Shot
13. I Call Your Name
14. Memory Lake
15. Cold Brain
16. Friendship
17. Drop Motion
18. Secret Poets
19. Brand-new Season
20. Red Strings
21. Prisoner Of Love (Instrumental)

I’ve been waiting for the instrumental version of “Prisoner of Love,” and I completely lurved it! The music comes of as nostalgic and heart-wrenching all at the same time. Sometimes, I even play it while riding the bus and looking out the window. I feel like I’m in a music video or something. LOL.

So, yeah. Here it is. Up for download.

Hope y’all like it!

I used a screencap for the image above. I’m too lazy to look for a proper image for the soundtrack’s CD cover so I just grabbed it from the SP of the drama. Sorry about that.

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Nishikido Ryo must have thought this was an idol shoot, and reverted back to his JE self. It’s nice for a male idol to not get all the attention in a drama once in a while. To be an idol with thousands of fan girls wooing him wherever he goes and portray a character that is entirely different from the image he (and his agency) has been living up to… I think that’s some skill he has there.

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I really do think that there is something between these two. Not in real life, I mean. In the final episodes of [Last Friends], there are some hints that suggest that there might be something between them.

And ooh! I lurve the cups!!! (lower right corner of the picture above)

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And here are the three involved in the drama’s love triangle. I actually like how the writers made the interconnection between these three characters have some real substance in it. It’s not just about friendship and love anymore. There’s something more to it that you won’t typically find in a series with this kind of love situation. It’s unique, the actor and actresses portray their roles well, and it’s not your usual boy-girl-boy love fight thing.

credits: j-idol-lands.blogspot.com

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Now, if only I can read Kanji then I would have an idea as to what the hell they’re talking about. Oh well.

So there will obviously be a PV out for this in mid-June, probably, so that she can have time to promote the single and do some live performances for it.

The song is great, by the way. Like I said, it is a sequel to the song “Laugh Away,” so it has that refreshing flowery feeling to it. It’s the kind of song you’d like to play on your radio when you’re having a road trip with your friends or even by yourself.

Here are the covers for the single: the Normal Edition (Left) and the Limited Edition (right)

The Limited Edition includes a DVD with the PVs for “Summer Song” and the acoustic version of “Laugh Away.” I’m not sure how they’re planning to do the PV for the latter, but I’m guessing it’s probably the same, just the audio aspect of the video that’s different.

A lot of people are wondering if what we see on YUI’s feet are actually high heeled shoes. Well, they’re not really “high heels” like stiletto heeled ones, but more of high-platformed shoes. Besides, what’s all the hype with her wearing these kinds of shoes anyway? It’s for a change, and it suits her. I don’t know about some people, but in my book, those two are actually GOOD things.

And here is the promotional picture for the single:
(I’m guessing this is the one they put on posters for people to see on train stations and all those public places)

I swear, if it weren’t for the teeny-bit-of-a-smile and the goldfish, this pose would have made no impact on me, or to anybody, for that matter. I mean, I like YUI and all, but the poses she makes (or the ones that the photographers make her do) are usually the same.

Bottom line is the song’s good, the CD covers are eye-catching, and the promo picture is very refreshing (again, I have to credit the goldfish for this).

I don’t know about you, but I’m smelling another number one single for this talented performer.

Anyway, here are some of the pictures. Hope you all like it!

I want the beating to stop
Dive into myself and make all these bones crack
They say it’s as big as one’s fist
Looks like I just have to settle on cutting my wrist

I’m tired of taking all the blame
Controlling myself as I swallow the pain
There are still two drags left for me to take
Better get it over with for all time’s sake

Two drags… That’s all that’s left
I have to keep these emotions at rest
All the insecurities which haunt me at night
Making me question my existence as I slowly close my eyes

I need to slice through it all
To ease the confusion
To have some peace
Even for just one moment
I want it all to suspend

So fed up with these pretensions
And people making stupid assumptions
Hear me crying
Hear me screaming
For once
Hear me out

You constantly underestimate me
But I never got the chance to prove you wrong
Even though I have all these skills and wit
You still won’t listen to this song

I hate you
I despise you

The bass is already beating with my heart
Blood is boiling inside of me as it bled
I wanted to rip my insides apart
Knowing that you haven’t listened to a word I said

I hate you
I despise you
There are no other words to describe this feeling
You made me think that you cared
Turns out you only used me
Used me and made me give you my head

Anyway, I combined two poems because they both conveyed the same kind of feeling. Both of them are actually the last two poems on my notebook, and somehow, it made me think about the feelings I had when I decided to stop writing.

I feel my heart skip a beat
Then my breath became a gasp
Finally, I act cool as I make my retreat
This is the routine I have learned to mask

I’ve always wanted to escape through
Free myself to have the ability to express the truth
But to run against a wall mounted with concrete
Leaves me to merely hope for us to again someday meet

Was this what they meant when they said “Love hurts”?
Or was it to stop a heart’s longing to experience dirt?
To fail, to succeed; to be hated, to be loved
Isn’t true happiness only felt after one’s done being loved?

Overwhelming conflicts drown me in confusion
For all I wanted was to touch you, hold you… to love you
But I can’t even bring myself to show you how I truly feel
Since I fear the definite rejection you are bound to give

So many chances went by unnoticed
Opportunities impossible to miss
I should have set my pride aside and came to you
Before suddenly letting the blade slice through

Now I leave with all the memories kept
Always will remember the times you almost made me wept
I’ll miss the complicated friendship we had
Especially the smile that makes me ecstatic from being blank

Three words were left unsaid
The one mistake I can never correct
As I fly away with no one but myself to rescue
For the first and last time, I loved you