I know I've been missing out on a lot of Japanese entertainment news but I saw this yesterday and I knew I had to talk about it. On August 8, actress/singer Chieko Kawabe filed for marriage with television producer Masato Ochi. Now, this normally wouldn't be a big deal. However, Kawabe is 21 and Ochi is double her age at 42. My jaw dropped at this news. I've watched Kawabe when she was Sailor Mercury in the Sailor Moon stage musicals; I watched her when she was Naru in the live action Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon drama; I enjoy her music immensely and have been awaiting more from her. And now she married a man twice her age. Well, I still wish her happiness and I hope that there isn't something (read: pregnancy) that forced her into the marriage.
Music review: Peach Hips - Tuxedo Mirage
Artist: Peach Hips
Members: Mitsuishi Kotono (Sailor Moon), Tomizawa Michie (Sailor Mars), Hisakawa Aya (Sailor Mercury), Shinohara Emi (Sailor Jupiter), Fukami Rica (Sailor Venus)
Album: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S Big Box (the song can be found on other albums as well)
Release date: 11/21/94
Video link: Via YouTube
English Translation: In the dish of the moonlight I take off my star earrings What should I do, my heart is, my heart is filled to the top Even if these fireworks turn into stars, even if we lose our love into darkness I beg of you, do not stop your kisses You can steal me away with your scent of velvet This is love my heart found in the galaxy
*The mantle of the evening spreads out in a rainbow More and more, I love you Tuxedo mirage Tuxedo mirage
The canary music box softly fades out What should I do, my heart is, my heart is stuffed up Even if these tears turn into stars, even if we lose our merry-go-round I beg of you, do not stop your kisses I want to be taken in by your gaze of velvet This is love my heart pledged in the galaxy
Gently held close in a storm of flower petals Never, never, disappear Tuxedo mirage
*Repeat About the song: Sailor Moon is my favorite anime series. Tuxedo Mirage is the ending theme song to Sailor Moon S, the third season of the series after Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon R. The song is sung by the voice actresses of the main characters. As love is one of the themes of the show, of course the ending theme embraces that feeling. Though it may not be my favorite song from the show, it is a sweet song with nice voices and soft music.
Music review: Kawabe Chieco - Be Your Girl
Artist: Kawabe Chieco
Album: Brilliance
Release date: 3/15/05
Video link: on Veoh
English translation: Baby, I wanna be your girl Baby, all I need is you
Even though you're with me so much now Even though you love me this much now
Time isn't on my side I can't be your girlfriend
Again and again I thought I was okay with that I'm sharing you with somebody else, but Again and again I cry knowing I don't want that, "(I wanna) be your girl..." Even if it's a lie, even if it's just for my peace of mind, tell me I'm the only one
It hurts when the anesthesia of your kiss wears off Are you leaving already?
Telling myself it would be cowardly to cry here I'm gritting my teeth and holding myself back
Again and again I thought I was okay with that I'm sharing you with somebody else, but Again and again I cry knowing I don't want that, "(I wanna) be your girl..." Even if it's a lie, even if it's just for my peace of mind
Come on, please You're the only one inside me Tell me I'm the only one you love There's just one thing I want, I simply want all of you
I won't run away from the world waiting ahead on this path I want to see for myself where it leads Even if I get hurt even more than I have already, "I'm gonna be your girl!" There's no way you can stop me, because this is the way I feel
Again and again I thought I was okay with that I'm sharing you with somebody else, but Again and again I cry knowing I don't want that, "(I wanna) be your girl..." Even if it's a lie, even if it's just for my peace of mind, tell me I'm the only one
Baby, I wanna be your girl Baby, all I need is you About the song: Chieco is very good at singing bubblegum pop songs. After spending two years starring as Sailor Mercury in the Sailor Moon musicals, she released her first single, Be Your Girl. The song became the ending theme to the anime "Elfen Lied" and shot her into stardom. I can definitely say that this is a song I can listen to over and over and still not get tired of it. Even though it's very bubblegum pop, the music is interesting enough to capture your attention. Chieco has a strong voice that helps make the song sound a bit more 'rock' than it really is. Sadly, she hasn't released a song since early 2006. I hope that she will return with a stronger sound. Bubblegum pop is good but that can't last forever.