The Riddle Solved & The Lost Chapters of Karaoke

Hello again dear readers! Just so you don't go shooting all manner of impatient questions at me, YES, I AM working on the Saturday Party's report but you will have to check back later during the week for it. However, I have other news...!

First off, much to my satisfaction, I got a message, late last night, by someone who solved my riddle (and rather easily, might I add). Now, let me walk you through it, by referencing the clues.

The first clue was an AMV of X/1999 with "I Wish I Had an Angel" by Nightwish. The only important thing about the video, was that X/1999 is a work by CLAMP, else known as the "Princesses of Manga". The second video-clue was a fragment from the anime, Jetter Mars (known in Greece as Super Mars), based on a work by Osamu Tezuka (and that is why, the episode being in Greek, had no bearing at all in this whole affair). In fact, Jetter Mars was originally going to be an upgrade of Tetsuwan Atom (Astro Boy) and that is why the two look so much alike. In the end, however, Mars became a separate character. Osamu Tezuka is known, in world bibliography, as the "God of Manga" and the first to kick-start the manga effect in modern history (as to the "under the eye of..." part, well, Tezuka is the only one of the three who is dead). Finally, the third clue was from Tonari no Totoro, in my opinion the most moving and emotional work of Hayao Miyazaki, who bears the title of "King of Anime". The word "Triumvirate" is Latin and refers, pretty simply, to "three rulers", who, historically, in Roman times for example, shared responsibilities for the Kingdom / Empire / What-Have-You. Seeing as rulers of any sort fall into the province of human affairs, Tezuka is not counted among the Triumvirate and we are still missing one ruler, female at that. Of course, that could only mean...



Rumiko Takahashi, else known as the "Queen", or "Empress of Manga". Of course, you did not need to do ALL of the previous analysis to end up with the answer, just think of the only other manga/anime creator who popularly bears a "title". The answer was given by Lockie, who will be rewarded with an original animation cel from Rumiko Takahashi's Lum: Urusei Yatsura. Congrats, Lockie-san!

Hence, the riddle is answered, but wait! That is not all. Remember when the Karaoke Party took place at BIOS club? Back then, I posted three Karaoke videos, with the promise of three more. However, some peculiar problem (I still cannot figure out what) with our YouTube account, stopped me from ever uploading and posting them... until today. So, with much delay, let me present you with...

The Lost Karaoke Chapters

For the record, of all the Karaoke I listened to, I liked Tomodachi-san singing "Kimi ga Ita Monogatari".

Signing off,

Speedgrapher

J-Music Karaoke Party @ BIOS

I know it took forever but I have had numerous issues to deal with before tackling this post, since work has been piling up, my PC's power source decided to let its cooling fan R.I.P. (which means that, despite it having a guarantee, I have to wait until Tuesday to find out whether they will fix/replace it at all - ergo, must get new, better power source = unforseen expense during a particularly slim period, post-Japan) and other, little things that tend to condense into a monster called "everyday life", have required my full attention. Anyway, back to the point: last Saturday, JMusic.gr threw another party at BIOS, adding karaoke to the usual mix of cosplay. I guarantee, you, it was a valiant and mammoth effort to put all that stuff together (karaoke songs and vids, video-projector, synched mics and so on and so forth) and kudos go to d-chan, who had to come practically sleepless to run the event.

HOWEVER, contrary to the very successful first BIOS party held by JMusic.gr, this one had a number of flaws, some of which should, if possible have been tackled beforehand: to begin with, it was proven during the first party that BIOS has an abominable sound quality. It doesn't matter if you have two cute girls or Gackt himself singing "Vanilla", if the end result is a sound drone that somehow seems familiar. Now, I am not a sound-check expert but I suppose there should be ways this could be either resolved or, in the worst case scenario, that a different locale be chosen for the event. Secondly, there was a bit of chaos as to who wanted (or had asked beforehand) to sing what, which resulted in the same people singing over and over or cutting in during another person's song. Karaoke may be fun and yes, it is cause for hilarity - as most people have seen in anime - but not in a disorderly way. Thirdly (but that was beyond the organizers' control of course), where were the cosplays? Yes, there were a few shining examples (see further on) but in a party such as this, I believe people should go all out with their costumes, at least those who know how to make them or have friends who do. I mean, 10, may be 12 cosplays in all just don't cut it people...!

Still, for all that, as Ritchie Blackmore and Candice White would put it, "past-time with good company I love, and shall until I die" and the company was great for the most part, so no real complaints there. This blog, despite its cheery (and geeky) disposition, is all about facts and an effort to disseminate - on one hand - the culture behind all these cool events happening in Greece (and as far as we are able to witness them, the world) and help improve them - on the other hand. Thus, the three above comments are not meant in any way as a slight or sneer but as words of caution (in the first two instances) and prodding (in the last one). Now then, as to the the party itself...

Artact and Raven Sweetwater (rabu-rabu dear

ladies).

Raven Sweetwater (photographing me

photographing her) and KrizD.

DJing and wearing Super Mario's

Fire Flower.

Shinigami Ryuk from Death Note

(respect thrice over, whoever you
are man - great costume).

Lollies...

...must resist...Lollies...

Aww, I give up...!

Kakkoii Style.

Gardy, in a classic (?) goth
loli outfit.

Rinoa Heartlily from FFVIII.

Sleepless in d-major.

Keru-chan and Katan (still Rosiel obsessed).

Yu-kun (are you sort of Misa Amane from Death

Note here?) and Walter C. Dornez from Hellsing
(only outfit I whip myself over not taking a better
picture).

Michael, as always, with a top
notch costume, this time George
from Paradise Kiss (way cool, man
but seriously, dress as something
I have a chance in Hell to recognize).

Dark Lollie, Dark Bishie.

Singing "I Need Your Love" from the Nana
anime (do not bother me with the red,
flaming eyes - total darkness and quite
some distance).

Well, that is all. Yup, that is ALL. Seriously, when was the last time I posted only 19 pictures without an encore? Get in cosplay gear for the event people! On another note, I took some videos during the karaoke but I am warning you: if you want to try and listen to the music and singing, increase your PC's volume quite a bit. I apologise for the quality of the picture but it was all I could do to keep my hand still. I will make no comment whatsoever on any of the vids (there are 5-6 in all but the second half has been struggling to upload in YouTube for days): instead, I want YOU, dear readers, to rate them with a -2 (for abominable), to +2 (for excellent) and anything in-between (no decimals please). Start voting for these first three and in time I will upload the rest.







...and don't forget, there is the Anime Music / Cosplay Party @ KABATZA tomorrow night and for your enjoyment (or horror, I dunno), I will be joining Ordre de Ciel on the decks with a playlist that, well... you must come and listen, don't you? How can you tell your grandchildren someday?

See you tomorrow,

Speedgrapher

P.S. In the next karaoke party, whenever that will be, I make a public statement and promise to sing the opening of Captain Harlock.