About

WHAT IS SORA TO KUJIRA?

Sora to Kujira(current version 4.3) is a blog focused on reviewing music releases by multiple J-Pop, K-Pop and non-Asian artists, being male, female, groups or soloists.

Version 1: August 1st, 2008 – December 24th, 2008
Version 2: December 24th, 2008 – June 28th, 2009
Version 3: June 28th, 2009  - March 7th, 2010
Version 4: March 7th, 2010 – …

The first era consisted almost entirely of reviews, the which make up the bulk of the site’s content. The second era had no reviews, but instead focused on expressing my opinion on various matters by ranting. The third era mixed up both reviewing and ranting, while giving priority to the former. Version 4 has the same focus but now runs on a self-hosted site.

The blog name Sora to Kujira(meaning “The Sky and The Whale”) was the b-side to Otsuka Ai’s Rocket Sneaker / One×Time single.

ABOUT ME

Well, what can I say. My name is Jin/Jinny,  I’m an 19 year old (whysoplastic?) university student studying Graphic Design. I’m currently living in Chile(yea, in South America). If you haven’t noticed, I’m a J/K-Music addict, hardcore gamer, varied designer and a shameless wota.

I decided to start blogging after having been a J-Pop music review blogs reader for a while. I wanted people to know about my opinion on certain things, so there’s no better way to do it than through a blog. Plus, I really enjoy being able to design the layout and what the readers see.

CURRENT OBSESSIONS

Music: Run Devil Run, POP DIVA

Video Games: Jailbroken iPod touch games!

RATING SYSTEM

The blog makes use of a simple “5 star” rating system. The rating is decided on by many factors including: vocals, instrumental, arrangement, originality, impression, etc…

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1 spade = Flop and disaster in every way possible. Think American BoA+Tamaki Nami with some 5-nin °C-ute.

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2 spades = Repulsive and horrible release. Not even hardcore fans can like this.

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3 spades = It’s getting there but there’s still a lot of room for improvement.

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4 spades = The typical release that you really enjoy. Just a step from being perfect.

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5 spades = Perfect release! Likely a classic for the rest of that artist’s career.

StKIIIHalfSpadeEmpty When a release is given a half rating, that usually means that another factor in the reviewed item influenced for either half a lower or increase in the rating. Things like b-sides in singles and new album tracks determine when these appear.

Songs in blue in the tracklisting represent my top favorite songs from the release.

FAVORITES

J-Pop Artists

Berryz Kobo | Buono! | ℃-ute | Hamasaki Ayumi | Kalafina | Koda Kumi | Mano Erina | MEG | Morning Musume. | Perfume | Suzuki Ami | Utada Hikaru

K-Pop Artists

2PM | 2NE1 | 4minute | After School | Brown Eyed Girls | Girls’ Generation | Kara | SHINee | T-ara

Video Games

Chrono Cross | Dynasty Warriors 4 | Final Fantasy X | Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Viel | Left 4 Dead 2 | Persona 4 | Pokemon Gold | NiGHTS Into Dreams… | Star Ocean: Till the End of Time | Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Morning Musume. Members

  1. Ikuta Erina
  2. Fuduka Kanon
  3. Fukumura Mizuki
  4. Mitsui Aika
  5. Sayashi Riho
  6. Michishige Sayumi
  7. Tanaka Reina
  8. Niigaki Risa

Berryz Kobo Members

  1. Natsuyaki Miyabi
  2. Sudo Maasa
  3. Kumai Yurina
  4. Shimizu Saki
  5. Tokunaga Chinami
  6. Tsugunaga Momoko/Sugaya Risako

℃-ute Members

  1. Nakajima Saki
  2. Yajima Maimi
  3. Okai Chisato
  4. Suzuki Airi
  5. Hagiwara Mai

STALK ME

DailyBooth | Facebook | formspring.me | Last.fm | LiveJournal |  Twitter

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