Tsunderes and their alleged sex appeal

"I don't understand for the life of me why on God's green earth people like Toradora other than the tsundere traits of Taiga and I sure as hell don't understand what the fuck the draws to that one. What is the hell is the draw to these moe tropes anyway? What is the draw to a girl who treats you like crap?" - Professor Otaku from his review of ToraDora.

There's a far too common theme in fiction that is easily exploitable: The tsundere. These bitchy yet soft personalities are considered to be in thing in fiction, but why are they appealing?

I'm getting ahead of myself though, let's backtrack to how this curiosity started.

Last fall I watched a show called Ore no Imouto Can't be This Cute (can't remember the whole title) and looking at all the comments on it people considered it to be the best M to A adaptation for the season... to a certain extent. So much so that it became widely popular. The story revolves around Kyousuke Kousaka, a normal plain high school student who is as average as Nami Hitou... Bazing! His life is turned upside down as he finds a DVD with a secret inside. It's a hentai game, and it's not his. The shocker here is that it's his sister's Kirino and shes a closet otaku! A rare female hentai otaku!

But that's not what I'm talking about here. There could be female otakus out there, but it's the person or their personality that we are glued to. And of course its Kirino who's the one they focused on. For you see, Kirino is called a Tsundere.

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, and I know a few whom I asked this question to get a wtf answer, a tsundere is basically a person who has a brash yet sweet personality. Like a Sour Patch kid; Sour on the outside, but sweet in the inside. This bittersweet (no pun intended) trait has become a popular trope as it were called and a far too common theme for dominately female roles in anime. But what is it about their brambleberry-ish personality that makes them appealing?

From watching Ore no Imouto, I can see that Kirino is but a 14 year old who's a magazine model who earns money for her perverse and apparently abhorrent hobby of little sister hentai games (imouto), a grade A student and downright normal. It is when she encounters her brother where she treats him like a pile of shit. Their parents don't see it, but Kyousuke is being abused by his sister.

It is then that she sought help because having a hobby is nice, but if there's no one to share similar interests with, it would just be a dirty old man (teenager) collecting porn. So on top of keeping a normal relationship between his friends and helping his beyond selfish sister, Kyousuke has a lot on his plate.

Later on we meet Kirino's online buddies who are also otaku. Kuroneko, a goth loli wearing cosplayer who's surprisingly good at fighters and actually very pleasant if you take away the snark, and Saori a bespectacled giant who acts as a big sister figure to Kuro and Kirino who are at first bearing their fangs over their favorite anime. Ah, anime politics.

Over the course of the show, we see such laws of disbelief being shattered so much it brings a new meaning to the phrase, "whining like a little bitch till you get what you want." Not only does Kirino get a manga published for her sick little self fanfiction story, but also an anime to coincide with it. Normally it would take years and lots of money to even get it off the ground, but in this case, she gets excited, she "negotiates", she fails, she emos about it and it's up to her brother to bail her out. Towards the end, Kyousuke becomes emotionally attached to Kirino. After Kirino shows him her deep dark secret (a picture of her younger self), she starts kicking the shit out of Kyousuke to the point that she just lashes out for no reason. However regardless of the off beat sibling beat down and the "Life Lessons" he gave her for learning how to actually cope and socialize with her online friends, Kyousuke still has feelings for his sister even after trying to develop a relationship with Kuro who she thinks is a replacement for her. Why the hell doesn't he go after Manami who at this point friended the hell out of her zone or Saori because of... I don't know, tall otaku chicks need love to?

Back to the tsundere. What I (and a few I know) don't understand is why the tsundere as a personality is sexually attractive in fiction as a whole. What part of that personality brings us to our knees to the point we have to fawn and fap (in no particular order) over the bitch in sheep's clothing is the big question few ask. Like many mysteries in life, it's not easy to explain about tsundere. But I sure as hell will try.

The tsun and yans have become among the traits and tropes very popular to exploit and use as a character in fiction. For the tsuns people see potential in character development and try to help them break away from their default mood. Over the course of time as the tsun and the person whom they chose to stay with they then develop as characters in the story, the tsun becomes dere and starts to feel something for that person. At first it may seem like a bumpy road for the two, but pacing out the pavement is the reward in itself. Yan are different and opposite of the tsun. Yans feel shy and nice at first, but soon to develop violent tendencies to the point that the character they chose becomes an obsessed object. What yans do to the character are probably something you don't want to know about. Usually the dere part of the yan is shown and they are normally quiet and keep to themselves. As time goes on once they develop as a character with the person of choice, the yan becomes quietly violent and starts stalking and becomes obsessed. To put it simply, yandere is the hard mode. And for most fictional stories, the appeal of the characters are what sell the show.

The best examples of tsunderes off the top of my head would include Aisaka Taiga who is considered the queen of tsunderes. Her bitchy violent exterior lies a gentle soul in which she wishes to bring out. It takes a lot to break her out of her shell and Ryuji is the guy to do that. In her story, she likes Kitamura, and needs his help to hook up with him. Meanwhile, Ryuji likes Taiga's friend Minori who likes him to, but he's seeing Taiga for "life counseling". Then Kawashima comes in and throws a spanner as she develops something for our nice beady little eyed protagonist while egotistically still up her own asshole. It doesn't help for the fact that Voice actress Rie Kugimiya is the person to go to for tsundere roles. Kugimiya seems to always be pigeon holed to play the role. Tsun or otherwise.

Other Tsunderes include Misaka Mikoto, the Railgun from A Certain Scientific Railgun. She has the hots for Touma who is the guy who is always at the short end of the karma stick. Their relationship wouldn't be so bad if Misaka didn't have the POWER OF ELECTRICITY IN HER BODY!! And she has a comedic lesbian friend who is many ways creepy when she thinks dirty thought of Misaka. And yet again, Misaka tsuns over Touma when he's got like 30 other girls that are after his right hand (double entendre). And yes I count the clones of Misaka and the religious girls as well.

Even in real life there are tsundere cafes in which the hostesses treat their customers like shit and apologize for it. And that somehow makes money. If I wanted to be treated like shit and apologized for the food, I would go to Denny's. Tsundere cafes do exist, but are far and between in the states. Last I heard, there was a Chinese tsundere cafe in Vancouver. Lucky bastards.

And finally on the western side of the pond, we have Helga Pataki from Hey Arnold. To best describe her in a nutshell, think of Gollum from Lord of The Rings when he wants the ring of power, but with Arnold. "I hate you, I love you and yet I hate you." yadda yadda yadda, you get the point. There was even an episode that explained the origins about her obsession for the titular football head. The shrine of him that Helga made out of his abc gum that she hides in her closet however... uh... um... *points* What the hell is that?!

Maybe when all it's said and done, there really is no concrete answer to why people like being treated like shit and apologized afterwards for it. Maybe the men (otaku) like to have their balls crushed by over-powering women and feel sorry for them afterwards. As for me, tsunderes are uncommon in my world and the farther away I am from the yandere (except when I actually try and get something out of them with my head still intact), the better. If you know anything or would like to add to the appeal of the tsunderes or yanderes, feel free to email me @rarefindit@gmail.com, or post in the comments below. Now Yangires, I'm staying the crap away. I mean who the hell finds cute crazy and psycho appealing? If you say yes to that, you might want to look down before you do. Something might be missing if you mess with them.

In Memoriam: Borders

Sometimes a funeral is very emotional to see when you lose a loved one. Some say their fondest farewells and move on, some keep the memory alive by any means necessary. Some however may never take the truth for what it is and just live within a lie. It's in contrasts different when a funeral for a business dies. The memories are still there, but instead it's about sharing what you remember the most and how a certain place may change your life.

Borders was a chain of bookstores that were near and dear close to my heart. For as far as I can remember, they were the place I went to in to find all the books I needed. Many have done the same. Why, even by a chance I can guess some lucky guy met their bookworm of their dreams and spent some good time together. Many shared a book club with both child and adults to recommend a book of the week for all to read. I was there scoping out the manga mostly and have stumbled upon many folk and shared with friends the discoveries I've seen. Even back a couple of years ago, I could go to any of the 18 or more stores within the county range and find a book in case the other store didn't have it. It was convenient to in that way because no matter what store I go to, they are sure to see me purchasing when I can.

It was however somewhere between 2006 and till now that Borders was going through financial problems. It was revealed later that their profits were not up to par so they started closing stores. Later on after the wrath of the Great Recession or in between they started closing more stores because rent was too high. A great loss to be sure, but I have a conspiracy that squatters were the demon that killed thine savior. Every time I went to a store there were many a man, child, teen, or man child who sat down in front of a bookshelf, with a pile of books next to them as they read and read and ate flaming cheetos and drank crappacino and put it back when they were done. Not even once did they buy a single book. The other reason for their demise was the online competition and e-reader boom. I still stand by the squatters because it was them who I saw the most during my travels to the store. The most egregious of all is the narutard who had a backpack and the aforementioned pile. There were also thieves who would take the security tag off and end up leaving the store with a petty thieves' value in books.

After the Great Recession every store that was within distance were dropping like flies till now.. Upon reading I discovered that they were in serious debt and by this time they filed for bankruptcy. Within a few weeks of that announcement I saw various links stating they were looking for buyers and bidders, but sadly a group within Borders declined them and now their inevitable death awaits. The stores that are left are dying and will eventually leave this earth by September

What I find very very heart warming is seeing many many people offer condolences and incredibly sweet happy memories to their own store. It brings a tear to my eye to see such dedication and devotion to a company. So in honor of Borders, I'm placing a memorial in my backyard with Border's name on it. It will lay beside Media Play and the beginning years of G4. Borders, you will be missed by all, but one most of all and as humanity and god is my witness, I swear I and Rarefindit will revive you. Good night sweet prince. From thy cover read thee to thy rest.

Rare's Random Thoughts: Reflection of Trust

Trust. It is a word that is a double edged sword. Some may use it to form a bond with others, but it can also be used as a disadvantage. It can be best described as an entity in which we form a pact around. Whether it be trust in friends, or trust in yourself, it is used as what we can rely on. However, that trust is oftentimes broken. More often enough the trust we have in others can be broken when the realization is harsher than you know. Once that trust is broken, we lose a bit of ourselves into darkness, only to never use the word trust in our own species. If you're having a hard time understanding this intro, don't worry, there's something in it.

Lately during this Year of Reflection, there has been a lot of stuff happening that just doesn't seem to be on par with what the motif of this year is supposed to be. Riots over who lost, the supposed end of the world never not happening, and constant betrayal of what we hold dear. It's enough that we can't even begin to forgive what had happened. Not exactly a way, 6 1/2 months in do we reflect on that. Perhaps it's different from person to person. For some reflection is looking back on yourselves to remember what happened in your past life only to come to terms with it and move on. However, reflection can also reveal a side that should never have been shown. It's similar to a scene I remember. And is sort of related to it.

Deep in the mountains, one man who walked a path of darkness sought redemption for all he had done. He was a proud man who served his country only to be stripped of his rank and sent on a fool's errand to destroy a nearby village. Abandoning the principles in which he had been taught, he then sought a way to fight against the ones who he held a trust for. Especially his friend who eventually betrayed him. However, after all he had went through, he still sought to atone for what he had wrought for no fault of his own. He enters the shrine on the peak of the mountain only to see a shrine of crystal. He saw his reflection in the mirror only to see a sword of lustrous holy light appear. The sword stripped him of his bloodstained woes only to become a warrior of light. Suddenly, a dark shadowy figure appeared to destroy him. Though his companions were worried for his safety, he claimed that this was his fight and he must fight himself to seek redemption, and he engaged into battle with...himself. The shadowy figure then asked this, "Some fight for law, some fight for justice, what do you fight for? The answer lies within." The shadowy figure then vanished. Upon reflection of his past actions, he fully became a paladin. That is a form of atonement in the form of reflection of ones self.

One must remember this. Your past actions will reflect your future. The many trials and tribulations you go through to become who you seek are different from who you were in the past. However, if you wish to abandon what you were taught in the past to seek out more, then that shows you have the most spirit in yourself.

Someone told me once a story about someone who was brought up through a family of harsh intentions. Through no fault of their own, they were sheltered, brought down as an inferior being because of who they were, and eventually shunned by the ones who gave them birth. That person still seeks out something, however, that something will eventually come if she seeks it out for themselves. If I were to tell that person who seeks to improve themselves it's this:

Forget what they taught you. You are a tremendous person with a miraculous talent and what you seek more than attention for all your accomplishments, you should seek a way to share your experience with others who you have a bond with. Throw away the shackles of guilt and form a bond of trust to those who hold you dear. You, of this land of freedom, should seek out not just trust in one and yourself, but love. I know it sounds corny, but if love does not bloom on a battlefield, then it is a battlefield of woes and sadness. This world of which you live in, you, take what you can and work with it. If there are those who have lost themselves in their upbringing, it is too late for them. For what they were taught when they were younger is not what you should teach to who you will someday bring up to this world. Share your experience with those you trust, and love them for they are they who see you as the most human.

Through my self training, I have opened my mind to things that I've never took interest in before. I thought I could inspire someone who I knew to do the same. However, that itself was a foolish attempt. It did work out in the end for me. Not only have I sought out to see what this world, if not this region, if not the city to city villages in which we call towns, have I seen a lot compared to the one who I failed to inspire to open up. That person is called a hikikomori, or shut in. They are of societal shunning and limited. What I mean is, society seeks out many to join it's entity as a whole. However, through faults of their own are they shunned and considered to be not worthy of it's draconian ways. So these misfits as I were to call it stave off from the outside world only to be seen sitting at a computer or something doing the same routine over and over until they depart from the land in which they were told to take a hike. I, at one point, sought out to bring one hikikomori out of their element only to see them dig themselves deeper than before. It's a routine that they have formed through their own actions and I believe it is a destructive lifestyle that destroys not only their psyche, but their physical form as well.

If one were to say they want to break away from their routine, they must take action and seek out the grand treasure of which they seek. It doesn't matter of their weak will, or their physical condition. If you want something, you have to fight for it. And when you fight, you gain experience to share with others. It's kinda full circle really. And all it takes is little push on the swing of life to see if you can reach the sky a little more and beyond.

Save the Station and Future Donation Stream

In times of dire straights, one must band together to save another. Unfortunately none can be a worse time than this.

As many know or not, I used to work for a college radio station. I've kept the mantle of former college radio DJ until now. It was a fun time where my goal was to at first promote Video Games Live and then it came to promoting for Thatguywiththeglasses as well as showing VG Music awareness. However, due to unforeseen circumstance, I fell onto Darkness and had to leave of my own decision. I still have ties to the station that I basically learned more about myself and how to network with other people.

Now I hear that my beloved institution in which I've built upon some character, is going under. Not just because of "budget cuts", but because of "other things". For one, I can't stand idly as the station goes under even after all the hard work that it built up for more than 4 years. If one says they will take action and do something, then take action!

What I have in mind is this: this link will lead you to a page where you can donate money to help this radio station. What I plan to do is a donation stream to help raise money to keep the station afloat. I am taking suggestions on what you would like to see.

The link to the donation is right here https://www.wepay.com/donate/90697

The stream will be at either of these locations:

Ustream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rare-s-find-its

Justin.tv: http://www.justin.tv/rarefindit

Livestream: http://www.livestream.com/raresfindits

Stay tuned for more info on the upcoming stream on either of these channels.

If you want to just donate for the cause then 1000 thanks if you do, and 1000 thanks if you don't.

Let's band together for a cause and save the last form of good music from those nepotistic bastards!

Winter Beachland and A Special Announcement

There comes a time when the changing of the color guard is imminent. With that, a transition from dark disastrous rain comes the beginning of a new season... I said beginning of a new season! I'm not going to lie: It's raining like hell, but long overdue has the winter arc dragged on this long that I must bring up to speed the journey to where we must begin life anew.

tl:dr: Clip Show!

The Year of Redemption was drawing it's bated breath as it prompted me to spend time doing something different for the holidays. Usually at that time we think of spending time with family, to reflect on the year and what it brought to us, but I was spending it elsewhere! To explain, for the last 2 or so years, I've spent the days upon months training on bike to become stronger. All the while, the world was coming to an end. Earthquakes in the southern Americas, the US economy crashing and slowly licking it's wounds while politicians bitched and complained about who's right and who's wrong, Justin Beiber fangirls and mostly the 4 Horsemen of the music Apocalypse. Long story. While that was happening I was inside working on a project and self teaching some advanced editing software. Yeah I know, not exactly the way to spend all year when jobs are so plentiful during the crippling times. Anyway, I finally finished by the time the fall arc ended and rested on laurels and headed straight to the middle land college town of San Luis Obispo.

The journey to SLO was an arduous one, especially for one who had only a bike as a steed. Traveling by train was relaxing, but hectic. Not only did it arrive later, but the unexpected occurred. No, the Spanish Inquisition did not appear and were not unexpected, the train broke down in the middle of the journey. Not only were hundreds of people trapped in a stalled out train in the middle of nowhere near the summit of a mountain, but it was getting dark...and the food was short. Needless to say, some people were kinda pissed. Me, being a aspiring comic relief both conscious and unconscious, I donned some cheapass broken Chinese bike lights and a headlight and trolleyed up and down the corridors between the coach and the lounge cars. Satisfied and happy that I was able to give a laugh in time to slight panic, the pulley train came and pulled us back 10 miles to the nearest city where a backup train was ready to drive us disgruntled passengers to our destination...and then the backup train broke down too...half a mile from the destination. Karma is kinda a bitch sometimes huh?

Along the delayed journey I met up with a particularly amusing attendant whom I met before. His name was unknown, but he was the only person who brought a smile to my face when I first journeyed by train to San Luis Obispo. I donned him The Namaste Guy, because at around 2 or 3 was his Namaste time as he assumably practiced yoga and meditation during his lunch time. Out of all the people who I saw on Amtrak, and by that I only knew one, he was the one that had a upbeat personality... and a few flashlights handy. The Namaste Guy later revealed himself to be Aaron, a traveling snack attendant who was part of a theatre troupe. After slowly dragging the train to the ironically named SLO train station, I finally arrived...only 2 hours late. The mystery behind the 2 powered down trains will never be unveiled. Someone just forgot to charge their batteries. Quick lesson kids, always come prepared.

My time in SLO is not of a long one, but a short but developing time when snow falls down and the chill wind brings in a warm feeling of coming together in front of a warm fire to recall lives that we lived during the year. Instead I was 5 miles away in a decent hotel. No big deal, at least it wasn't a dive. During my time there I delivered the finished project on time with some extra samples. My time there wasn't for any conquest of a rock. No, it was a time to spend with family that I haven't really sat down with in a long time. Meeting new acquaintances and old acquaintances and enjoy a full course dinner instead of just rice in a bag. Truly a nice time indeed. My magic started to dwindle as belief in magic is becoming scarce, but I still believe in it. Instead of using that, I am now using logic and science. It makes sense that way because of change. Now instead of using belief and faith, people are using SCIENCE for all their solutions. Anyway, as the curtain closed on the time spent down south, I felt a heart grow ever so slightly as I was invited to come back down, to visit again and beyond.

Back up in the land of decrepit empty technology buildings, I spent almost a month in madness as my laptop perished. Now it could have been the potentially viral program that was installed by a relative kid without permission, or it could have been a faulty part on the manufacturer, either way I was powerless. Add salt to injury, I have a film making class that involves it.

Eventually it was revived, but for those 6 to 8 weeks boredom crept up it's ugly head and hung around like an annoying room spirit that causes you no harm, but bothers you and overstays it's welcome. Not only buying a puzzle, but playing the boring trivia games that I have collected in the past. Truly, a low for such as I.

Once the boredom past away, I was able to starve off the madness by the birthday. Mini golf and new friends from an old campus was to be had for fun and all. Which leads up to now.

Through the inspiration of many others I've decided to start up a stream of sorts. It will be a way to introduce new things that has never been seen before. For example, it could be music that's unfamiliar, it could also be a video. As a former college DJ, it's my duty to share music that I picked up in the past. From Jpop, to doujin music, to epic metal, or whatever sounds great. Think of it like listening to a radio, but with actual good music. Make sure to check out Rare's Find It's on Ustream.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rare-s-find-its

Also, follow Rare on Twitter @Rarefindit

If your in the mood for a little different taste, just stop on by Fridays at 1700 to 1900.

Screwattack and their 5th birthday

There's always going to be a special person who either changes or inspires you. Whether they be there in person or spirit, it is they whom you always have a connection to even if you don't realize it. When I think about it, Screwattack changed my life without knowing.

Screwattack is a, if not THE ultimate video game entertainment site. It's home to an incredibly vast and universal community of gamers and aficionados alike known as G1s. The Del Facto leader is Stuttering Craig and as I just found out, celebrated Screwattack's 5th birthday. This is what I get for being busy.

Now what does this have to do with Rarefindit, a lesser known self proclaimed Rare Game Hunter? Well, a hell of a lot really.

Back in 2008 as I was enjoying Video Games Live with Xeuton, a colleague of mine, we came across a folk singer by the name of Gamejew. He had a ukulele and was singing a song about saving the princess. Amongst the crowd, he picked me out and we were bombarded by people both local and corporate. Maybe it was the fact that I was dressed as Mario with a a big mushroom plushy and a baseball cap instead of a painter's hat, but many people were asking to take their picture with me. Even some people from Square-Enix. That was honestly a rare and honorous occasion. I didn't win the costume contest, but being stopped for a picture for a very very basic costume made out of just clothes and hand me downs, it worked.

Gamejew back then was part of Screwattack, this site which was in it's infancy. After checking out Gamejew's stream which had Jewario, who I didn't know at that time would eventually join Thatguywiththeglasses, I then found out about the Angry Video Game Nerd, A very popular name that would spawn many people to do the same thing, but with different games. It's through the fans and possibly G1s that contribute to his massive collection. Then Captain S which used a green screen that was never seen before and had a storyline that was episodic, but made sense. What do these have in common,? they were on Screwattack.

During that time when Screwattack was growing in terms of popularity to eventually a community of people who think alike and share a bond stronger than krazy glue, I joined a college radio station which eventually got me a chance to interview Stuttering Craig. For a guy who goes and wings it in terms of interviews, hes very good, and a former slamball player? This guy has the biggest honest heart for gaming I've ever seen.

Screwattack isn't just about games, it's about family, and the G1s and the people who are also part of it are also part of their family. This is probably stretching it a bit, but I've never seen such a Nakama ever before. You might be wondering who else is part of the family?

Well there's Stuttering Craig, the god, the tank, and also very nice guy, Ben who was High School Ben back then, Chad, Destin who hosts Hard News, Jared, who was on a show called Nametags which was like Clerks but with games, Jose the El Mexicano who hosts his Puntos, Maxifent Corey, Nervous Nick, who breaks stuff not intentionally, and Bryan and Angel. There a few others, but due to social obligations, I can't mention them, but they were at one point part of them. There are others whom I've grown to like such as Keith Apicary, the biggest adorkable manchild who's eternal search for the Dreamcast 2 amazes me. So much so that he went in front of G4 and asked about it. That takes a lot of balls to put Olivia Munn in her place. Lastly there's Brentalfloss, a lyricist who puts lyrics in game music. Very fun, and potential for great success.

I think the thing that stands out at Screwattack is it's G1s. I admit, I don't know if I would be accepted as a G1 as I am very limited when it comes to being on the current games as I can't afford all of them. Sorry guys, but considering the popular games these days are mostly FPSs, they are not my thing. If the romhacks are accepted, then maybe I can consider going to their forums as I probably think I still have an account there.

As time went on Screwatack started having their own convention: SGC Screwattack Gaming Convention. Basically giant gaming party with all your closest friends. They had so many people to be part of the lineup. Including the SpoonyOne, Brentalfloss and Keith, Movie Bob, who I briefly know as Game Overthinker, and even former lawyer troll guy Jack Thompson. The con is huge and the journey to it would be arduous if I were actually going. I may if I can get other people from California to join me. Maveric would totally feel like at home, but I don't know about Xeuton as that guy is not as hardcore or into his gaming as I am or Maveric who has a sparse collection.

As much as Screwattack is known in it's community as well as on the Internet, not everyone knows about them. Just the other day, in a small cafeteria barracks, I saw a lot of...well students playing Magic the Gathering. I have locked on a few conversations, but I doubt not many people know about them. That's quite a damn shame too because anyone who doesn't even know about Screwattack clearly hasn't A) Played Games enough B) Stay on Youtube and nothing else.

For what has been accomplished in 5 years, I'm glad I found out about Screwattack. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have met many people like Marzgurl, Benzaie the hyperactive gay Frenchy with a fiancee, and many more people. So to you Stuttering Craig and the G1s out there, Happy Birthday. Thanks for making this old fogey of a gamer (26 years old and 24 years counting) well worth seeking out more. You guys are the best closed knitted family I have wished I was a part of.

Tits, pop music and appeal (not those kind)

Pop music. It's like Almond Joys. You like the taste of chocolate, but the coconut ruins what is essentially junk food (I don't like coconut). Being of a sound guy who has listened to more music than I have with recent games and anime, I just can't seem to wrap my brain over the recent trend of pop music that has appeared in the last 5 or so years. By that I mean who listens to this crap?

Being in a drugged and coughing state of mind (I'm sick), I stumbled upon who people know on Thatguywiththeglasses as TITS. TITS, or Todd in The Shadows is a pop music reviewer, and one of those people who have as much bile and acid in their otherwise shadowy exterior as Simon Cowell did for being British. In his videos, he reviews and deconstructs pop songs that people otherwise get entranced by simply existing on the radio and the muzak in grocery stores. For one it's a double edged sword. On one end the song may become as Troperville calls earworms, songs that can't get out of your head until you start humming Those Who Fight from FF7 to combat the otherwise obnoxious beat, or maybe that's just me. However, it can also be a detriment to whats otherwise your mind going crazy hearing it over and over to the point of madness. Simply put, you love or hate it.

Now, I'm not exactly the guy that has been "in the loop" during the last 5 or 6 years. Mostly because I almost lost myself hearing Hollaback Girl 20,000 times a day working at a crappy pizza joint, and the only working radio which is covered in hardened flour and corn meal had no way to turn off. Even more so with Jenny From the Block being blasted 80,000 times a day at the amusement park. Listening to a bad song is one thing, but listening to a bad song you hate urges a man to commit suicide in the chemical poisonous chlorine waters below. So yeah, I don't like the pop music here.

The saving grace that is my sanity is that I turn to the eastern side of the music spectrum, by that of course I mean Jpop. What Jpop does is different from what western pop music does: it doesn't pierce your ears. Yet, because of this, I've been lured into listening to more Japanese music. Maybe it's because the lyrics are mostly of struggle and fighting against that struggle, or a symbolic family of pork dumplings represent what is happening in real time to an existing family. Meanwhile, the other side is listening about screwing, cheating, or being an obnoxious attention whore who can't sing for shit or some songwriter who's videos make Offensive on Encyclopedia Dramatica blush. For some strange reason, it sounds more pleasant. Canadian Punk is a different story as I either had to listen to a crappy sing along band of preachy baptists urging for everyone to sing to a broken raffi tape, or a band about how much they think their government sucks. I made my choice.

However, as I cough the days away to excess Flem and Earl, I can't seem to understand what attracts people to listen to the music they listen to. What is it about jpop that beings me back for more and stray away from what kids are calling it "music"? What is it that a Zoids fangirl who I have a crush on find fascinating about discovering Ke$ha on the store radio station? And unfortunately, it raises more questions than answers to why humans like to listen to attention whores who sing taunts and don't know how to write lyrics. To which I ask TITS this:

As a pop music reviewer, what part of our brains, in which the least common denominator is mentioned attracts people to listen to the music that defines their personality? What entrances those to listen to the music that they listen to? Why does pop music sound so bad now? Is it the junk food-esque that clutters what is essentially our perception to comprehend the "deep" meaning behind the lyrics to what is simply put, shitty pop music? Finally to add the jaywalking part to arson and murder, where the hell is my Beaver Fever?

Todd, if your reading this, I would like to get your perspective on what attracts people to the music that they listen to. Besides force from other means, what entices the listener to pick up that insert-shitty-attention-whore Single here and how does one define themselves to the genre that they are accustomed to?

The reason behind why I listen to Japanese is not that obvious. It's not because I grew up by it, it's more that I've become accustomed to it as the years went by. I started out a fan of anime, went to Otakon, bought T. M. Revolution, started singing to it as it is printed on the lyrics sheet. *Singalong with T.M. Revolution* Honestly, that's how it began.

Then I started seeking out more and more until it became clear: I like modern Japanese music. The discovery of a Ryoko Hirosue CD in a charter bus was sheer coincidence as it was next to a Counting Crows August and Everything After. Listening to both, I couldn't make it past Mr. Jones on Counting Crows and kept listening to Hirosue-san.

What makes Japanese music appealing is that it sounds more pleasant. The lyrics don't rhyme when translated, but it's more in that the lyrics in Japanese rhyme. For example, in TMR's song Invoke, the second line in the first verse goes like this:

samishisa ni yogore ta ude de daita

sore igai no nani ka wo shiranai kara

Ta and ra rhyme. That's how you can tell. But honestly, you don't have to really understand the language to know that the sound has more energy to it. Then again, that's just me liking jpop.

In the end, what really boils down to the reason what attracts me to Japanese pop and not my American counterpart is based on self discovery. Being an anime aficionado, gaining an interest in learning the language, teaching myself a bit, and seeking out more. The experience is what attracts me to it. That's ultimately my reason, what's yours?