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Even though it was aired last year, Kaiba is a show I hear very little about. We find ourselves in a world where death can be transcended by transferring memories from one body to another. We are introduced to a young man with a hole in his chest who wakes up with no memories of who or what he is, the only clue to his past being a necklace of a grinning young woman. As the show moves on, the man soon discovers that the world is cruel and unfair to the poor and unfortunate. People with money buy human bodies for purposes ranging from personal reasons to the innapropriate and disturbing. All we know is that he may or may not be a king who is responsible for much of the corruption in the world.

One of the most notable aspects of the show is the animation style, resembling Superflat, a distinctive animation style created by artist Takashi Murakami. Superflat is just as it sounds: rather than having overly detailed designs, the show almost looks cartoonish with modest coloring and simplistic yet beautiful design. The soundtrack matches the theme and mood of the series. Starting with light and quirky tunes mellow enough to rival a mother’s lullaby, nothing about the series seems to be out of place at first glance, aside from the radical story. I’ve asked the opinion of people who’ve watched Kaiba, and while some have understood and appreciated it, many others don’t care for it because they don’t understand the depth of the show. And while it pains me to say this, I’m convinced that in no way will this title make it to the states, but I’ll give explanation as to why later in this article.

We start out in a universe completely unlike our own where bodies are nothing but shells for a person’s being. A person’s memory can be transplanted from one body to another, giving the people in this universe a sense of immortality, but they are still vulnerable to physical death. So long as a person’s memories remain intact they can be switched and transplanted to another person’s body as many times as that person wishes. The first scene shows a young man with a hole in his chest and a necklace of a young woman grinning. As he explores the area to figure out what’s going on, he comes across many people all telling their own stories, including some who’re trying to find a new body to inhabit. While confused and an amnesiac he’s soon on the run from a mechanical device trying to capture him. Luckily, he finds shelter on an interstellar ship travelling far away and finds himself the target of new people. Did I mention that the young man happens to discover that he may be the king of the universe and that the young woman is possibly a terrorist trying to kill him?

The art style, as I said, is very unique and beautiful, the shading and lighting are all well done and blend harmoniously, giving a cutesy, cartoonish look to the show. Sadly enough, because of the graphic content of the show I seriously doubt it would become licensed to the states for that and a few other reasons. Another reason is the story itself: while Kaiba’s universe is vast and interesting, it’s also very obscured and strangely written, causing me to doubt that many people would understand the concepts that the story is trying to deliver. But because of this, depending on how you take everything in you can find yourself in a wonderful universe full of sadness, mystery, and life. As the characters gather and show their stories and motives, you soon see that nobody is truly happy in this world. Despite this, everyone isn’t purely evil or alike. From the Sheriff with a lolita complex Vanilla to the ambitious liason of the Terrorist organization Popo, everyone’s hopes and dreams are revealed, allowing for an alternate take to any initial thoughts you have of them early on.

Kaiba is a fascinating series that I enjoyed very much. And I hope that as a result of this review, others enjoy it as well.
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Artist: Frou Frou

Album: Details

This album was my introduction to Imogen Heap and the beautiful voice hiding behind her coos and breathy, short sentences. This is also the only time I’ve heard a love song that’s swept me off my feet in “Must Be Dreaming,” where Ms. Heap narrates the ups and downs of falling in love. Her voice raises and hums slowly to an emotional telling of a tale many know. The words and emotions make you feel butterflies in your stomach. As the song crescendos then lowers to a soft string group playing, I’m trapped in the sense that I’ve felt this before. She captures with her voice the very essence of how emotions transcend and transform. A contrary song in the album is “Maddening Shroud,” which describes the end of a relationship, with a person considering suicide. “I’ve got a good mind to throw it all away, throw it all away, throw it all away,” with soft bells ringing in the background, a scene of depression. The contrast makes me think of a certain Shakespearian quote: “Tis is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.” And even while the song is lyrically depressing, the light taps of tabla samples, combined with percussive metals, make you wonder how the song would translate without lyrics. An even greater shift in emotion occurs in the song “Psychobabble,” as you are brought to a frightened, angry, defensive woman speaking about an unbalanced relationship where one person is going to dominate the other. And though the theme of the album is relationships, the song is an eye-opening breath of fresh air.

Finally, I’m brought to my favorite track, “Hear Me Out.” Lyrically it brings a direct and versatile range of emotions from moody, thoughtful, and forgiving. Strums and strokes of synth guitars keep the song light along with contrasting deep bass thumping a mood of dread. The lyrics describe a person who feels lost but is seeking peace within herself, her message berating her while she debates her feelings to someone she cares for. To lose someone is an emotionally battering experience, but what can we do when we we’ve hit a wall in a relationship? Do we ignore what we’ve had, do we scorn the one we cared for, or do we ask for a second chance? True to the title of the song, it slowly develops from a soft, ambient beat into a passionate, stressful, and desperate plea for a second chance. The song is a wonderful contrast to the other songs in the album and stands out above the others.

I kindly ask to hear a second album from these lovely people.

Keep it going or you’re Toast, the Host with the most is trying to invoke some mental preparation. The topic at hand is a slight of hand when the man decribes his plan, words could twist and be dismissed of any eligibility. Take it with salt, I claim no fault for admitting to my bias, so take a seat as I humbly speak about my personal views on music.

My name is Charles Cullum, and I’m a horrible music loving monster.