To Aru Majutsu no Index II – 11

(Shitotsu Kouken (Sutabu Soodo))
"Thrusting Anti-Sword (Stab Sword)"

After punching so many girls in the face lately, Touma finally gets a taste of his own medicine care of one pissed off Misaka Mikoto. Next to Tsuchimikado's scuffle with Oriana, that ended up being one of the highlights of this episode too. The rest of it bounced back and forth between Touma and Stiyl's pursuit and Himegami's talks with Komoe, both of which didn't really result in anything.

To Aru Majutsu no Index II – 10

(Sokki Genten (Shootohando))
"Stenography Text (Shorthand)"

Some payback was in order after Oriana's Shorthand nearly killed Seiri, and Touma gladly obliges by doing what he does best after preaching -- punching girls in the face! They don't call it the Imagine Breaker for nothing, as Touma's right hand saves me from wondering what it's like to put scantily clad anime girls in their place.

Kurosaki Maon – Magicworld PV (To Aru Majutsu no Index II ED)

[flv:Kurosaki_Maon_Magic_world_PV.mp4 550 310]

In what could probably be summed up with the phrase, "There's no way my anime song singer is this cute", Kurosaki Maon manages to appease a wide variety of fans with the PV for her first single, "Magic world". In addition to featuring an overly geeky glasses look with her rooftop dance performance, Maon sneaks in brief cosplays of Index and Uiharu Kazari from To Aru Majutsu no Index, Kousaka Kirino from Oreimo, Shana from Shakugan no Shana, and Miyamoto Rei from HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD. Now how's that for a PV for an anime song?

Of those, the last one is especially meaningful, considering she made her singing debut with her "H.O.T.D." album that is comprised of all twelve ending themes for that fan-service/horror series. Even after getting signed by Geneon Universal, Maon is still a member of the Dear Stage live bar in Akihabara. As you can probably imagine, this means she's also a fan of anime herself, with her favorite works including Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru, SEKIREI, Fushigi Yuugi, Strawberry Panic, Double Cast, Air, Kanon, Negima, Ayashi no Ceres, and Rozen Maiden. Quite a diverse taste if I do say so myself, which is always cool to see in an anime fan regardless of whether or not their songs get featured in the shows themselves.

... More after the jump, including the "making of" video.

To Aru Majutsu no Index II – 09

(Tsuiseki Fuuji (Ruuto Disutaabu))
"Pursuit Prevention (Route Disturb)"

Whether you care for long expositions not, they're one of the defining points of this series and we're given a big dose of it this week. Personally, I'm not a fan of it being overused for story progression, but surprisingly didn't mind when a good chunk of this episode was devoted to explaining Oriana's abilities and why she has the nickname "Route Disturb".

Kawada Mami – No buts! PV (To Aru Majutsu no Index II OP)

[flv:Kawada_Mami_No_buts_PV.mp4 550 310]

yubi de hajiku koin mitsumetaYou watched the coin you flicked from your fingers

GOSTAYomote nara GO, ura wa STAY, mazu kotae wo kikaseteHeads you'll go, tales you'll stay, but first let me hear your answer

"douka oshiete kuremasen ka?""Would you please tell me?"

tenshi wa misadameru egao no mamaThe angels secure us with their divine smile

!mayoe! sono te wo hiku mono nado inaiYou'll lose your way! For no one will be there to guide you

kami ga kudasu sono kotae wa fuk dattaThat answer from God was unfortunate

sou sore koso kami kara no okurimonoBut yes, that is certainly God's gift as well

norikoetara miete kuru sa dakara ima suguOnce you overcome it, you'll see, so go forth

Look for it by oneself, no buts about it.

No buts!

 

narabererata kdo mekuttaThat jeering Joker you picked up from the aligned cards

hohoenderu sono jk ketsumatsu wo kataranaiWon't speak of the end to you

"kore wa tengoku yuki no chiketto?""This is the ticket to Heaven?"

dkeshi wa kikanu furi de odoketaThe Trickster acted as if he couldn't hear you

sakebe! ima yuku kono michi shikanai toCry out! For this is the only path left

tayorinai mune sono kokoro wo naguritsuketeAnd pierce the heart that lies within your feeble chest

Aa fuk ni kizukasareta shiawaseAh! Your misfortune will lead you to happiness

norikoenakya miete konai dakara ima suguYou can't see it without first overcoming it, so go forth

No buts!

 

Get it over oneself, no buts about it.Look for it by oneself, no buts about it.When getting it over, you understand it.Look for it by oneself, no buts about it.

 

!mayoe! sono te wo hiku mono nado inaiYou'll lose your way! For no one will be there to guide you

kami ga kudasu sono kotae wa fuk dattaThat answer from God was unfortunate

sou itsudatte kami wa hai de utauBut yes, God is forever singing behind your back

"norikoetara miete kurusa" dakara ima sugu"Once you overcome it, you'll see", so go forth

Look for it by oneself, no buts about it.

No buts!

Kawada Mami, member of I've Sound, is an artist who probably needs no introduction among anime fan circles, having produced singles for several highly popular and prolific series such as Shakugan no Shana, Hayate no Gotoku!, and of course, Toaru Majutsu no Index. Looking at that list, it seems like in the roughly five years since the release of her first single, SEED, she's become J.C.Staff's go-to-girl for songs for their higher budgeted and advertised, multi-seasonal shows. Being a rather big Mami fan myself, enjoying every song she's put out for Shana and Index, I immediately went to listen to the single of No buts!, released last week (11/3) the first chance I got.

... More after the jump.