About Sora to Kujira

♠What is Sora to Kujira?♠

Sora to Kujira(current version 3.0) is a blog focused on reviewing single and album 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 –

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 current era plans to mix up both reviewing and ranting, while giving priority to the former.

The blog name Sora to Kujira was taken from Otsuka Ai’s Rocket Sneaker / One×Time single, it was found as the b-side.

♠About the Owner♠

Well, what can I say. My name is Jin/Jinny,  I’m an 18 year old (thisisme) university student studying Graphic Design.

I started this blog after noticing that I had so much free time on my hands. Plus, it’s like another responsibility and I’m the type of person who likes having responsibilities(can’t live without them). I like being able to design and organize everything how I like, speaking my mind, etc…

♠Current Obsessions♠

Music: JASMINE, T-ara, Mano Erina, BEAST

Video Games: Left 4 Dead 2, Tatsunoko vs Capcom

♠Rating System♠

As of Sora to Kujira version III, the site adopted a new rating system, no longer using the four suit system that also evaluated the PV+cover art. Instead, a more simple 5 star system is used rating each release with a possible maximum of five spades.

1 spade = A horrendous release, fails in every way possible. Think American BoA+Tamaki Nami with some 5-nin C-ute.

2 spades = Very lukewarm, not worth listening to more than once.

3 spades = Just below average. It’s okay, but no more than that.

4 spades = A solid release that has both it’s ups and downs.

5 spades = Absolutely perfect/FIERCE/HAWT/SEXAY/MILF(Music I’d Like to…).

Apart from the spades, half spades are also used to determine when a release is either better or worse than what the descriptions stated.

“♠“‘s in the tracklisting represent my favorite songs. In album reviews, the amount of spades get lower, with five spades being my top favorite

♠Interests♠

Favorite Soloists:

• Utada Hikaru
• Hamasaki Ayumi
• Amuro Namie
• Koda Kumi
• Nobuchika Eri
• Suzuki Ami
• Otsuka Ai
• Shiina Ringo
• Kajiura Yuki
• Sakamoto Maaya
• misono
• KOKIA
• MEG
• Björk
• Lady Gaga
• alan

Favorite Groups/Bands:

• Morning Musume。
• Berryz Koubou
• °C-ute
• Buono!
• Perfume
• 2NE1
• Buono!
• Kalafina
• 4minute

Favorite Video Games:

• Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra
• Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil
• NiGHTS: Into Dreams…
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl
• Pokemon Gold
• Dynasty Warriors 4
• Left 4 Dead 1 & 2

♠Inspirations♠

I was heavily inspired to start blogging by 2 particular blogs: Beyond the Sea(Lex) and Gold Hikari(Die). I really enjoyed reading Lex’s detailed and high quality reviews, along with the organized and clean web design. He’s also who got me into a ton of the artists I’m listen to today.

I also like Die’s constant updates, as they kept me really entertained and helped me discover ayaka.

Artists/ Groups discovered since I began viewing blogs along with the blog that got me into them:

• AAA (Radiant Dawn)
• alan (Gold Hikari)
• Amuro Namie ( Beyond the Sea)
• ayaka (Gold Hikari)
• BoA (Beyond the Sea)
• KOKIA (Beyond the Sea)♥
• MEG (Radiant Dawn)♥
• Nakashima Mika (StyleJapan)
• Nobuchika Eri (Beyond the Sea)♥
• Otsuka Ai (Beyond the Sea)
• Rie fu (StyleJapan)
• Shimatani Hitomi (Beyond the Sea)
• Suzuki Ami (Beyond the Sea)♥
• Tamaki Nami (Beyond the Sea)
• Tsuchiya Anna (Kurayami Monogatari)
• Yousei Teikoku (Gold Hikari)

♠Stalk Me♠

Facebook

formspring.me

Gaia Online

Last.fm

LiveJournal

MySpace

twitter

Vodpod

♠Linking♠

If you want me to link your website on my blogroll, just go ahead and leave a comment here!

I’d be more than happy to trade with you(I always do). You can use these buttons if you wish also. I prefer you pick out whichever is currently featured however:

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

♠♥♦♣