Get Pumped Up! /// Music Monday #71

Well, we have sprang ahead an hour this past weekend, but we'll never skip so far ahead that we'll miss a Music Monday!

Our song of the day is none other than . . .

"You Say Run" from My Hero Academia: Season 1

Composed by Yuki Hayashi

If you read my Monthly HapPENings posts, you'll know that I'm currently watching a few anime, one of which is the ever-popular My Hero Academia (also referred to as Boku no Hero Academia). It's about a boy named Deku--the green-haired fellow in the video--who lives in a world where 80% of the population have quirks, otherwise known as superpowers. Some folks use them for selfish purposes and turn to lives of chaos and crime. Others fight back by using their abilities to serve justice and look good doing it.

Deku has always dreamed of being a hero, just like his idol, All Might. (He's the blonde in the middle.) But unfortunately, Deku falls under the 20% of people who are quirkless. He resolves to go against the norm and enrolls for UA High, the school that raises young superheroes and hones their powers. In an unexpected twist of fate, Deku is able to get into UA thanks to the guidance of another hero, but that's only the start of the battle. If he wants to prove his mettle, he'll have to face many obstacles--including other students who are desperate to get to the top no matter what.

I think this song is a good representation of the show--or at least, S1. It's a powersong, one that makes you wanna get up and moving because of how pumped you are. Through its soaring strings, relentless drums, pulsing guitar, and ethereal choir, it fills you with determination, perseverance, strength, and courage. I feel like this is could be Deku's theme song, as he struggles against mighty odds and ruthless opponents. He's not willing to let his dream die, and so he'll fight with everything he's got.

I hadn't realized that this was such a motivating song until it randomly played on my way to work a week or two ago. Hearing made me go, "Dang, I feel like I can take on today!" I imagine if I listen to it on a walk, I just might end up running--or at least fast-walking. It's just such an epic song. The anime soundtracks I own have been top-notch so far. Might be one of my new favorite musical niches.

What're your thoughts on this song? How does it make you feel? Have you seen My Hero Academia yet? 'Cuz you should if you haven't!

Monthly HapPENings: February

Y'know, even though February had one extra day in it, I swear it went by just as fast as any other month.

So . . . for some reason my mind is completely blanking out on any life events or social activities that happened this last month. Usually I remember these things, but not today. I know I went for supper/coffee with one of my uncles once or twice . . . but I can't recall what else I did. I'm pretty sure I did stuff. I dunno. Sorry that this section is going to be so boring this time around.

Bookish HapPENings

I didn't finish any books in February either, even though I said last time that I'd hoped to get more reading done. Whoops. Maybe this next month will be better in that regard.

HapPENings on the Screen

Rewatched this with my family, and I remember why I absolutely love the Pirates series so much. Like, it's one of my all-time favorite movie franchises. I was also really impressed by how much the CGI withstands the test of time. The skeleton pirates looked really cool, even though the movie was made about seventeen years ago. I also noticed how they purposefully made it difficult for themselves, by having Jack and Barbossa have their final duel in a cave with random beams of moonlight shining down. The two combatants would pass through them in their fight and appear in their skeletal forms while in moonlight. It's never been something I took note of before, but I really appreciated it this time around. Also, this movie's score literally defined what pirate music sounds like. It's amazing.

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Another rewatch. I'd seen this movie once, and that was a year or two ago. I loved it just as much now as I did then. The themes resonated strongly with me, especially with where I am in my life right now. I can't really talk about what I all pulled from the film, because that'd quickly venture into spoiler territory. But there were some good messages for me. Fury Road might be intense, violent, and strange, but it's also powerfully moving and emotional. And the score is on my list of my top four favorite soundtracks of all time.

Avatar continues to both impress and amuse. The last several episodes have been very strongly connected, and it's a direction that I'm truly appreciating. I love how the main characters are all heading for the same place, and you know that they're gonna cross paths sooner or later. Plus, there've been at least a couple of times in S2 where I've had to rewind funny moments because they've made me laugh so hard. This is a fantastic show, and I must own it.

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I've begun watching S2 of My Hero Academia, and oh, is it ever good! It hasn't been overly intense yet, but I know it's gotta be building up to something big. However, that doesn't mean that's what happened so far is uninteresting--far from it, actually. The UA tournament has been a fantastic arc so far, and I really do love the focus on Todoroki (the white-and-red-haired dude). Can't wait to see how the season progresses!

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Also started watching S2 of Attack on Titan. I don't know what to say except OH MAH FREAKING GOSH. They really haven't held back in this season. Episode 1 kicked things off with a bang, and it's only gotten better. I appreciate how some characters who were secondary in S1 are getting more attention this time around. But with there being just twelve episodes in S2, I have to wonder how crazy things are going to get. I love it! (And yes, I did watch the OVAs before this season, and they were great too--well, the last three were nothing short of amazing!)

I'm now over halfway through Firefly, and I'm quite enjoying it! The last episode I watched in February was definitely one of my favorites. It was shot well and meshed present, past, and even further past together in a cohesive manner. Overall, I can really see why people love this show. You can bet that I'll be buying the movie (called Serenity) soon so that I can get an idea of how Joss wanted things to end.

Gaming HapPENings

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I was in the mood to play Skyward Sword again the other day, and my gosh, I'd forgotten just how much I freaking love that game! I'm currently replaying the game in Hero Mode, and I had left off at the entrance of Skyview Temple. Definitely a fun experience with my sisters (I thought I'd heard one of them say I should let a Bokoblin "ganumpsh" me so I could die and restart at the save point, and that became one of our running jokes.) I also died in the Ghirahim battle, which I hadn't expected. In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I still have no clue as to why people complain about the motion controls. They work just fine for me.

Writerly HapPENings

Didn't do any writing this last month. I've been preoccupied with other things/haven't been in the right headspace. Hopefully I can at least write a piece for Havok in March.

Welp, that was my February. How was yours? I'm sure it was a lot more interesting than mine, so I wanna hear all about it.

The Music Monday 2019 Awards - Round 3

Well, well, well. The Music Monday Awards are reaching their climactic finale. It feels like just yesterday that we were kicking them off.

In order to determine what the four finalists are, we must examine the results of the previous round. There were 8 participants, so let's not waste any time seeing what they voted for!

January, February, and March: Garnering the slimmest of victories, "The Kraken" snatched 4 of the votes. 3 people would have preferred to visit "Dragon Roost Island," and only 1 person was bopping their head to "Main Theme."

April, May, and June: "History Maker" took half of the votes, proving that anime music really is appreciated. 2 people were too busy falling asleep to "Grape Garden," and the other 2 were desperately trying to go "Beyond the Mirror."

July, August, and September: This was hardly even a contest. NF took us by surprise and gained 6 of the votes. 2 participants weren't "Brave Enough" to acknowledge his talent. Sadly, everyone forgot "Fireworks" and left it in the dust.

October, November, and December: So this was an interesting round. "Majora's Mask" and "Oliver Queen Suite" both landed 3 votes each. That means I've got to pull up a random decision maker and do best two out of three. Which means . . . "Oliver Queen Suite" will be moving forward! In the meantime, 2 people are out partying to "Just Friends."

Which of these songs will be the ultimate victor? You choose!

The Final Round

"The Kraken" from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

versus "History Maker" by Dean Fujioka

versus "The Search" by NF

versus "Oliver Queen Suite" from Arrow: Season 1

I leave this in your capable hands. Only you can decide which of these four songs will forever be known as the best one of 2019. I have but one request: when you vote for which song should be the legendary winner, please leave a little reason explaining why you think so. If the song you voted for is crowned, your comments will be used in the victory post.

Welcome to the end.