You can appreciate why she needs the support, and I like to “spread the...
I think you’ll find it much more than we first let on, and hope...The Craft-Work and Art of the AMV, Part Four
Ξ July 23rd, 2011 | → 13 Comments | ∇ The Anime Annals |
How nice to already have a category to put these in! I’d forgotten about this series, but when I came across Nostromo’s fantastic AMVs remembered that I had it going (at one time LOL) and dashed here to share. I’m not an expert on Anime Music Videos by any means, but I do know what I like, and the following clips by Nostromo are simply dazzling! So, very few words this time, just some delicious eye-candy (and how!) for your weekend, and beyond… and get ready to tap your feet, bob your head, and bounce your booty!
We’ll lead off with “Pure Thrust”, a 2nd-place winner at Japan Expo’s AMV Contest in 2010, which features animation from the typically-surrealistic Studio SHAFT/Akiyuki Shinbo series Bakemongatari, one of my favorite anime. (But then pretty much any SHAFT anime is 
) Look for clever lip-syncing and excellent editing from Nostromo in splicing everything together. I’m not really into techno, but this song kicks ass, and is melded with the anime seamlessly.
Next up is “Auriga”, a 1st-place winner at the 2008 Japan Expo AMV Contest. According to his notes, it took four months to create! Love the inclusion of more SHAFT with many scenes from both seasons of ef-a fairytale of the two (which I was happy to read that it’s finally been licensed for sale in North America, yay!) Great song chosen, again in the techno/dance vein, DJ Spoke’s ”Watch Them Fall Down”; not sure if the artist’s name is in there or not, sorry!
“Running Man” features clips from multiple anime, including the Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei series (whoa… another gem from Studio SHAFT!). Zetsubou Sensei shows off his dancing skills and dashes all around. Thus the title, I suppose It won second-best video at the 2008 Akross AMV Contest, and is set against the radio edit of the Utah Saints’ “Something Good”. And it is!
Dance/techno normally isn’t my type of music (at all LOL) but good sounds are good sounds 
Gotta be open minded and as diverse as possible so as to enjoy works by those you’d otherwise pay no mind to. And I’m happy when turned on to new stuff (which really is why I like sharing them with others who might also enjoy). This next video, “Galaxy Bounce”, won 2nd place at the Japan Expo 2008 AMV Contest and gives you a break (well, kinda) from all the thump-thump-thumping stuff, using Andy Hunter’s “Life Light” and footage from the sci-fi anime Pale Cocoon OVA. Only one epsiode *sigh*… it’s still on my To-Watch list since I’ve never been able to find it (YET)…
Here’s another 1st-place winner from the Japan Expo 2007 AMV Contest, “Magic Pad”. With clips taken from 41 anime, it’s as frenetic as you might imagine! I usually prefer one anime-subject per AMV, but Nostromo handles the multiple art styles very well and puts together a great video that alongside the chosen song “Arise” (remix) by Mike Shiver & Ashkan Fardost, form an intriguing whole…
Finally, we come to an interesting project, “Binary Overdrive”, an actual music video collaboration for Sugar Jesus and their song “Get A Hold of Yourself”. Visually stunning in parts, it’s probably the most cohesive of all of these clips, and the song is the moving, driving force that unites the audio and visual art-works. Nice work(s) indeed :-)
Pretty cool, huh? For the whole story behind the video, check out Nostromo’s blog, which, if you enoyed these vids of his, would be a good spot to surf to from here, since we’re all done now xD (Also, check out Nostromo’s YouTube Channel for more goodies and making-of vids.)
For the previous installments, Part One is here, Part Two here, and Part Three here. Don’t be surprised if the YouTube snipers have removed some though; the posts are a bit long in the tooth LOL
Please feel free to leave comments or thoughts if so inclined; they (and you) are appreciated!
on July 23rd, 2011 at 5:01 am
Heyhey, thanks for making this small compilation of my videos and for letting me know about your blog, you’ve got some interesting stuff around here.
on July 23rd, 2011 at 12:13 pm
You’re welcome, and thank you for the excellent work (and Visit):-) It’s easy to see why so many of your AMVs are top-ranked; I’m sure that you’re an inspiration to many AMV-makers out there. Nice choices of anime, too, esp. Pale Cocoon. I’m looking forward to more in the future!
on August 7th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Pure Thrust. Holy Guacamole!
I LOVE Bakemonogatari, and I LOVE techno music. That AMV kicks some serious buttocks. I usually feel ‘ho-hum’ about AMV’s but that was a delightful treat. Thank you a thousand times over for turning me on to that.
on August 8th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Glad to be of service! Nostromo’s AMVs seem consistently well-balanced between music, animation, effects, and presentation, and all elements usually combine into a very eye (and ear)-pleasing video. He also doesn’t use major spoilers, which I really appreciate. I love his “credits” too!
I’m really picky about which AMVs I post here; the music *has* to be as good as the video, and a good combo is hard to find (at least on YouTube LOL). But in the process of choosing the worthier efforts to share, I’ve been exposed to both really good musicians *and* intriguing-looking anime to seek out and add to my collections. When I can afford to buy and etc
Bakemonogatari was awesome, to be sure. I presume you’ve also watched the extra eps 13-15? Finally got a glimpse of the true Shinobu *shudders* :-O Funny how a character who is on the screen for (probably) less than a minute over the course of a series and literally does *nothing* can be so enticing LOL
on August 8th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
“…I’ve been exposed to both really good musicians *and* intriguing-looking anime to seek out and add to my collections.”
I can’t remember if I’ve shared this with you. Looked for a youtube version, but the audio sync was crap. So, I put it up on megaupload… sorry for the “please wait” for regular download annoyance.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3JI4T9FS
This is THE video that turned me on to AMV’s. Long ago, when my limited view of anime was restricted to things like Bubblegum Crisis, Tenchi Muyo and Ghost In The Shell, THIS AMV led me into what would become the beginning of a whole new world.
on August 9th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Speaking of music… Have you ever heard of Yui?
She’s simply beautiful. This is a performing artist that carries me away. Even though I can’t understand the words, the sound of her voice mesmerizes me.
There is passion in this girl’s music!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmbv1C2HTHs
Lyrics are here:
http://www.kiwi-musume.com/lyrics/yui/frommetoyou/feelmysoul.html
on August 10th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Thanks for the Lain AMV DL, DL
Its charm is very subtle, and doubly so if familiar with the anime; the lyrics reflect the visuals nicely. Very simple, yet as effective as the more effects-heavy recently-made videos. One of the better Lain AMVs out there!
I hadn’t heard of Yui before you mentioned her; a check on ANN’s Encyclopedia mentions anime credits as being a couple of Bleach and Full Metal Alchemist songs. (To save a bunch of searching through the Ys, it is here: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=48603 )
There’s something pure and personal about a girl at her piano (or guitar in this case); no flashy effects or attitudes, just the music, the song. And that is good, ‘cos that’s what it’s all about
on August 10th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed the Lain video. That’s a nostalgic flashback to the past for me.
“There’s something pure and personal about a girl at her piano (or guitar in this case)”
That’s exactly how I feel. There is something special about the soft, breathy, feminine voice that Yui has. And she’s so freaking CUTE! Did you by chance look for the song from Bleach? It’s a lively tune. As I said before, even though I don’t understand the words, I LOVE the sound of that girl’s voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta0jOZkEsHk
And… speaking of girls with guitars, and flashbacks… I know I’ve mentioned before my fondness for Avril Lavigne. There was a forum I used to frequent and the subject of Avril came up. Someone started belittling her, saying she really didn’t know how to play a guitar. It was 2004 and I just happened to have a video capture program running when she did a performance of “Nobody’s Home” on FOX’s Jingle Ball Rock.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IA67IRM5
Needless to say, when I posted that video, that certain individual became silent.:D Like Yui, she only strums simple chords, but the girl knows how to make music.
on August 10th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
A good song is a good song; simple as that
Ironically, “Nobody’s Home” was my first exposure to Avril, through a Rozen Maiden AMV that featured it. Apparently, a lot of AMVs use it, as it’s such a great song, and applies lyrically to many anime heroines.
In fact, here’s a tribute to one of our most favorite girls, Misuzu, using “Nobody’s Home”:
http://youtu.be/jTAhJHGGcL0
I’d say it fits!
Thanks much for the Avril live clip; it’s one of my fave songs (and man, she looks gorgeous!)
And we know that it doesn’t really matter whether the chords are simple or complex, just whether, when strung together, do they make a nice sound? When lyrics are applied, do they make me feel as the writer intends, and carried inwards successfully by the music? If so, then that equals a song I want in my library. And luckily, there’s lots of those! I *don’t* want “product”, as so much of today’s music (and media) is.
“Nobody’s Home” makes me Feel It, and even though it’s sad, it’s good
on August 14th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Aww… you know I have soft spot for Misuzu. *sigh*
“Ironically, “Nobody’s Home” was my first exposure to Avril…”
It was an ironic coincidence that let me capture that live performance. And, since my first exposure to that song was the result of that live performance I have a preference for that version over the studio recording.
“(and man, she looks gorgeous!)”
I know… she really is a pretty girl, isn’t she? Especially in those early years when she had that youthful femininity going on.
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