Hoping for a better 2018!!

The end has come. Kouhaku finished. Johnny's Countdown has passed. White team won (woops, spoilers?) Now it's just time to wait for January 3rd, for all the new years specials, and then fast forward to 99.9 season II, which by the way, I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT.

But before I get ahead of myself, let's take a look back at 2017 and see what type of year it was. I know for many people, particularly in the states, it was a fantastically shitty year all across the board. On a personal level? I still have not really come to a conclusion about what I think. So, let's take a look, shall we?

Horizon Zero Dawn

I started this game in September and just beat it today.

Wow.

In terms of story anyway - wow.

The funny thing is, I already had the plot completely spoiled to me because I had looked it up in advance, but when I finally made it in to GAIA Prime and I knew what was coming, I was still a bit blown away. I could just imagine what it would be like for someone, who had no idea what was going to happen, to see all this and just have their mouths on the floor.

And then there was the scene at the end with Aloy, and it was just... so touching?

(Okay - Spoilers from here on out - you have been warned)

嵐 - Sugar [Eng Translation]

(Translation Index: Here)

嵐 - Sugar

You've got me feeling now, baby
You've got me on my knees, baby
Put it down on me

素気(すげ)無い言葉と裏腹のKissに　きっと深い意味はない
饒舌(じょうぜつ)な言い訳を嫌う君に　抗(あらが)えぬ　Only lonely love

There is definitely no deeper meaning behind your cold words, yet contradictory kiss.
I won't fight against you, who hates such long-winded excuses, there's only lonely love.

月明かり　君は素敵に纏(まと)って　悔しいくらい上手に笑う
何もかも幻だよ、みたいに　嘯(うそぶ)いたその瞳が愛しいんだ

In the moonlight you were dressed so beautifully, and laughed so good it hurt.
Those eyes which seemed to deem everything an illusion, I loved them.

物憂げなUpturned eyes　蔑(さげす)みのCold eyes
翻弄されればされるほど　No way out
君の渦　飲まれてく　Prisoner
There's nothing I can do

Those sombre upturned eyes, and those scornful cold eyes,
The more you toyed around with me, the more there was no way out.
I'm a prisoner, being swallowed up by your vortex.
There's nothing I can do

だから　その指で　唇でSugar　刹那の夢でいい　さあ　もう一度
壊れるほど抱きしめてMy love　言葉はいらない　C'mon
Fall into your trap, fall into your trap　構いやしない
Nothing but a loser　戻れなくたって
甘い香りに誘われるまま　理性溶かしてくよ　Sugar

That's why with those fingers and those lips let's create Sugar. It's fine just as a fleeting dream, come on let's do it one more time.
I'll hold you until I break, my love, we don't need any words, c'mon.
Fall into your trap, fall into your trap, I don't even care.
Nothing but a loser, I can't go back.
As your sweet scent invites me, my reasoning melts away, Sugar.

形ある物などもう要らないって　ちょっと寂しげなSigh
手に光る指輪を眺めては　弄(もてあそ)ぶ
Only lonely, lonely, lonely love

You said you don't need anything solid anymore with a slightly lonely sigh.
Staring at the sparkling ring on your finger, you were just playing around.
Only lonely, lonely, lonely love

剌すようなPrivate eyes　それさえもFeel so nice
まるで心まで見透かされるよう
いっそ強く焼き付けて　Flashback
So gimme one more kiss

Even with those piercing private eyes, it feels so nice.
It's like you are seeing through right into my heart.
I'd rather this be burned strongly into your memories as a flashback,
So gimme one more kiss.

そうさ　その吐息で　眼差しでSugar　目眩(めくるめ)くような時をもう一度
身体中駆け巡るMy love　衝動が止まらない　C'mon
I'm a fool for your lies, I'm a fool for your lies　今はまだ
Don't stop my feeling　終わりにしないで
成す術もない哀れな僕を　嘲笑(あざわら)ってくれよ　Sugar

That's right, with that sigh and that gaze let's create Sugar, let's have one more dazzling moment.
Coursing through my body is my love, my desires can't be stopped, c'mon.
I'm a fool for your lies, I'm a fool for your lies, not just yet.
Don't stop my feeling, don't let this be the end.
A pitiful guy like me with no ability to grow, please ridicule me, Sugar.

明日のことなんて　Forget now
そう　分かってるのは　もうすぐ今日が　終わるってことだけさ
「いつかは2人も　星屑になるの」
そんな駆け引きは　月と太陽に預けて　ただ僕を見つめて

The things about tomorrow, just forget now.
That's right, all we need to understand is that soon, today is going to end.
"When will the two of us become stardust?"
We'll leave those sorts of dealings with the moon and sun, just look at me.

だから　その指で　唇でSugar　刹那の夢でいい　さあ　もう一度
壊れるほど抱きしめてMy love　言葉は要らない　C'mon
Fall into your trap. fall into your trap　構いやしない
Nothing but a loser　戻れなくたって
甘い香りに誘われるまま　理性溶かしてくよ　Sugar

That's why, with those fingers and those lips let's create Sugar. It's fine just as a fleeting dream, come on let's do it one more time.
I'll hold you until I break, my love, we don't need any words, c'mon.
Fall into your trap, fall into your trap, I don't even care.
Nothing but a loser, I can't go back.
As your sweet scent invites me, my reasoning melts away, Sugar.

嵐 - 夜の影 [Eng Translation]

(Translation Index: Here)

夜の影 - Shadows of the Night
(Matsumoto Jun, Ninomiya Kazunari, Ohno Satoshi)

Hey heah um Here we go
Clap Clap Clap Clap Let me feel your heart beat
Clap Clap Clap Clap

Grind　揺らぐ予感　導くMidnight secret
もう待てない　Countin' down
コトバより　ほらカラダでSeek
あまく　擦れた香り　誘うがまま
滴る汗さえも　気にしない　Try to find
甘美なShape　哂してよ
オーバーヒート寸前の　欲望のパノラマ

Grind, wavering feelings guiding midnight secrets,
I can't wait any longer, Countin' down.
Rather than with words, come on, let's seek with our bodies
This scent gently washing over me, how inviting.
Without even a care to the dripping sweat, try to find,
Your sweet shape is being exposed,
in a panorama of lust that appears just before I overheat.

Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Just begin
沈黙消した　First touch
まさにShut down　秩序やルール
上書きさせてよ Wanna make you mine

Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Just begin
Our first touch which erased the silence,
A perfect shut down of orders and rules.
Let me overwrite them, wanna make you mine.

夜の隙間に　踊ろう　Hurry！ Hurry！
Oh girl 0h girl Can't stop me now
ただイタズラに　過ぎ去ってく　瞬間(いま)なら
確かめ合おう　Physically
Neon の Lightが　奏でたFascinate
溶けてく　ふたつのシルエット
そうさ　Easy Easy　かなり大胆に
No more　キミを感じたいよ

In the cracks of night, let's dance, hurry! Hurry!
Oh girl, oh girl, can't stop me now.
With just our flirting we've gone too far, now.
Let's check each other, physically
The neon lights play, they fascinate,
Our two silhouettes melted.
That's right, easy, easy, so boldly,
No more, I want to feel you.

Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap You and I
Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Here we go

Sleep　浅い眠り　繰り返すよりは
何度でも　その海で彷徨っていたい　鼓動も濡らして

Sleep, rather than constantly having these shallow rests,
I want to roam these oceans endlessly, soaking in the beats.

Drop Drop Drop Drop Drop Drop Just begin
雫の音(ね)　Surround して
ローラーコースターみたいにFallin'
逆さまで　ふたり Wanna know you

Drop Drop Drop Drop Drop Drop Just begin
The sound of dripping water surrounds us,
And we're fallin' like a roller coaster.
The two of us are upside down, wanna know you.

続くセメギアイ　もっと　Diggin'！ Diggin'！
Oh girl 0h girl Can't stop you now
でもウラハラに　愛(いと)しさも溢れて
アンバランスなMy heart and soul
息もできないほど　限界までPassionate
1秒1秒がIn fact
もっと Gimme Gimme　Kissの合図に
どんどん　アツくNegotiation

Continuing to fight each other, more, diggin'! Diggin'!
Oh girl, oh girl, can't stop you now.
But behind all that my love is also overflowing,
My unbalanced heart and soul.
Until we can't even breath, we're passionate to the limits.
Each second by second are in fact.
More, gimme gimme, at the signal of a kiss,
this negotiation gets more and more heated.

強く抱いても　満たされはしない
Can't get enough
意識の向こうで　空回りして　Time is up
ささやく唇　幾度　奪えど
Can't get enough
見え隠れする　微かな戸惑いも Precious
あと少しそばで…

No matter how strongly I embrace you, I won't be satisfied.
Can't get enough,
Beyond my awareness I'm just idling, time is up.
Your whispering lips, how many times have they been snatched away,
Can't get enough,
Appearing and disappearing, this slight confusion is also precious.
Just a little bit more beside your side...

夜の隙間に　踊ろう　Hurry！ Hurry！
Oh girl 0h girl Can't stop me now
ただイタズラに　過ぎ去ってく　瞬間(いま)なら
確かめ合おう　Physically
Neon の Lightが　奏でたFascinate
溶けてく　ふたつのシルエット
そうさ　Easy Easy　かなり大胆に
No more　キミを感じたいよ

In the cracks of night, let's dance, hurry! Hurry!
Oh girl, oh girl, can't stop me now.
With just our flirting we've gone too far, now.
Let's check each other, physically
The neon lights played, fascinate,
Our two silhouettes melted.
That's right, easy, easy, quite boldly,
No more, I want to feel you.

Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap…

Arashi - 「Untitled」 [review]

It's that time of year again! A new Arashi album has been released! My thoughts?

嵐 - Miles Away [Eng translation]

(Translation Index: Here) 

嵐 - Miles Away

遥か未来へのDreamer 走り出した日のBeliever
はじまりを祝うFreedom 確かに聞こえるほら
生命の音 刻もうよ もっと
君へ送るEndless beat 巡り巡るSeason

A dreamer heading in to the distant future, a believer on the day I started running.
A freedom that celebrates beginnings, you can definitely hear it--see.
The sounds of life, let's engrave them even more deeply,
As an endless beat I'm sending you, the seasons going round and round.

諦めないYesterdayと 選んできたEverydayを
繋ぎ合わせたTomorrow 風は未来へと吹いて
エピソード 紡ごうよ もっと
手に愛を持って漕ぎ出すWith you

A yesterday I can't give up on, and the every day which I'd chosen.
Are tied with tomorrow, and the winds blowing in to the future.
This episode, let's spin it even further,
Holding love in my hands, I begin to row with you.

明日へのPromises 繰り返してくMy life
それぞれのOne way 生まれてゆくMy story
たとえMiles away いいさFaraway
放たれた光の果て 共にSailing days

Promises towards tomorrow, my life repeating itself
Each one way, giving birth to my story.
Even if you're miles away, it's ok being so far away.
At the end of this radiating light, we'll be together on our sailing days.

重なるフレーズ… 幾千の夢

Overlapping phrases, thousands of dreams.

風が歌うメロディーを 空に響くハーモニーを
僕らは感じるJoyful 時に流す涙を
何重奏も 奏でよう もっと
永遠を祈って All my love is you

A melody sung by the wind, a harmony that echoes in the sky,
The joyful that we feel, and the tears that occasionally fall,
These endless amounts of instruments, lets play them even more.
Praying for eternity, all my love is you.

君へのPromises 時を越えてくMy wish
このままOn your way 喜び描くStory
今日にSay good night 願うMorning light
まだ知らないその先へ 行こうSailing days

My promises to you, and my wish that transcends time.
Going on your way just like this, painting a story of happiness.
I'll say good night to today, and wish for the morning light.
To what's still unknown ahead of us, let's go towards our sailing days.

重なるフレーズ…
夢のほうへ…
届くまで…

Overlapping phrases...
To our dreams...
Until we reach them.

遥か未来へのDreamer 走り出した日のBeliever
はじまりを祝うFreedom 巡り会うためのPromise
繰り返してゆくMy life

A dreamer heading in to the distant future, a believer on the day I started running.
A freedom that celebrates beginnings, a promise to meet once again.
My life repeating itself.

松本潤 - Baby Blue [Eng translation]

(Translation Index: Here) 

松本潤 - Baby Blue

Oh Baby blue 泣き出しそうな空が見てる どんなことだって全て知ってる
出会いと別れを繰り返しながら 回り続けてる

Oh Baby blue, the sky is overflowing with tears while looking down on you, knowing everything there is to know.
Going over our many meetings and farewells, again and again and again.

Everyday いろんなことがあるけれど
Everywhere 笑顔は消えはしない
Oh my life だからひとつひとつ瞳に 焼き付けよう

Every day, many things happen, but
Everywhere there are countless smiles that will never disappear
Oh my life, so let's engrave each and every one of them into our memories.

Oh Baby blue 愛しき日々よ いつまでも幸せ溢れて
Maybe true 泣かないで ほら 君だけが君らしいから

Oh Baby blue, those beloved days are forever overflowing with happiness.
Maybe true, so don't cry. See--only you can be you.

Oh Baby blue 頬を濡らすほどに分かる 花の美しさに気づく
光と影が寄り添い合いながら 世界はできてる

Oh Baby blue, the wetter my cheeks become the more I begin to understand the beauty of flowers.
As light and shadow meld together, the world is created.

Everyday ひとりぼっちの夜を抜けて
Everywhere 明日へと夢見たい
Oh my life だから心のあるがままに 生きてゆこう

Every day, I pass the nights all alone.
Everywhere, I want to dream of tomorrow.
Oh my life, so that's why I'll keep on living with the heart I have now. 

Oh Baby blue 愛しき人よ いつかまた巡り会う日まで
Maybe true 今はさよなら 見上げれば変わらぬ空

Oh Baby blue, to my beloved, until the day we can meet again
Maybe true, for now it's goodbye, but if you look up you'll see it's the very same sky.

さよなら涙

Goodbye, tears.

くすんだ雲の向こう側 ずっと青が広がって
君に繋がっているから 歩き続けよう Oh

Beyond those dark clouds is an ever-expanding sea of blue.
We're connected, so let's keep walking forward, oh.

Oh Baby blue 愛しき日々よ いつまでも幸せ溢れて
Maybe true 泣かないで ほら 君だけが君らしいから

Oh Baby blue, those beloved days are forever overflowing with happiness.
Maybe true, so don't cry. See--only you can be you.

嵐 - 復活LOVE [Eng translation]

(Translation Index: Here) 

復活LOVE - Reviving Love

横殴りの雨の中　この部屋を飛び出した君は
二人の愛を試すみたいに　さよならさえも言わないまま
永すぎた春に　別れを告げた
あの日からずっと　僕はまるで抜け殻さ

You ran out of this room in the pouring rain,
As if testing our love, without saying a word of goodbye.
This announced the end to our everlasting spring.
and ever since that day, I have become but a shell of my previous self.

Baby, don't you go　行かないで！　叫んでも　聞こえない
君は乗せた taxi が　水しぶきあげ遠ざかる
Never leave me here　哀しみに　崩れてゆく　一人きり
見失って恋人を諦めきれないのさ　まだ
どんなことがあっても　待ち続けるよ　僕は　
「I miss you」

Baby, don't you go, don't go! Even though I'm yelling this, you can't hear me.
The taxi you stepped in to left behind a spray of rain as it took you further away.
Never leave me here, I'm broken by my grief, all alone.
I won't give up on my beloved, just because I've lost sight of them.
I'll continue to wait for you, no matter what happens.
"I miss you"

二人でいられるだけで　足りないものなどはないと
思い込んでは君の淋しさ　知らずにいたこと悔やむだけ
言葉に出したら　壊れてしまう
そんな危うさ　きっと君は気づいてた

I believed that if it was just the two of us, there would be nothing else we'd need
But these thoughts led to your loneliness, and I can only regret not having noticed sooner.
If you had voiced this out, everything would have fallen apart.
And you had surely realized how dangerous that would have been.

Baby, where are you?　 どこにいる？　メールさえも　届かない
優しさに甘えすぎた　僕を許して　ごめんね
Come back to my heart　お願いさ　今すぐにも　会いたいよ
その胸に寄り添いながら　眠りにつける日々を
取り戻せるのならば　他に何もいらないさ

Baby, where are you? Where are you? Not even my texts are reaching you.
Please forgive me for being so spoiled by your kindness, I'm sorry.
Come back to my heart, I'm begging you. If I could, I wish I could see you right now.
If I could return to those days, where I slept nestled close to your heart
Then, I wouldn't need anything else.

ある晴れた　月の満ちる夜
微笑み浮かべて　舞い戻った angel
長い孤独の果てから　たどり着いた　この場所へ

During a clear night with a full moon
Wearing a gentle smile, my angel returned to me.
At the ends of my long period of loneliness, you've finally returned back to this place.

Baby, welcome back　おかえりと　抱きしめた　僕の瞳に
溢れる涙　懐かしい唇で受け止めて
Never let you go　もう二度と　離れないと　誓い合う
愛が再び蘇る愛しいこの瞬間
二人で探し当てた　本当の宝物さ
朝の光の中で　僕らはひとつになる

Baby, welcome back. Welcoming you back, I hold you tightly,
and your lips which I've missed so much catch the tears which have spilled down my face.
Never let you go, I promise we'll never be apart again.
This cherished moment in which our love is rekindled,
Is the true treasure that we've been searching for.
And in to the morning light, we become one.

"My love, 離さないよ"

"My love, I'll never let you go"

「おかえり」

"Welcome home"

 ---

T/N: I did these a long time ago, just posting them now for storage sake. 

My thoughts on FFXV

I finally got the platinum trophy for FFXV yesterday (a couple of weeksmonths back - it's taken me a while to get this post out) and am probably going to box up the game disk now in favour of starting Persona 5, so I figured now is as good as a time as ever to write about Final Fantasy XV.

The good:

• I loved the chocobros
• The music <3
• Noctis' story
• The fighting

The bad:

• Not fleshing out any other character 
• Execution of the overall story (beyond just Noctis)
• Quests were pretty meh
• Open-world is too empty - only a few interesting towns

As you can see, there is an equal number of good and bad points, but I'll say this right now - I loved Final Fantasy XV. It's not a perfect game, not at all, but when I say that I loved the Chocobros and Noctis' story and growth in this game, I really mean it. Do I wish they had managed to flesh out the story even more - absolutely! But let me break things down. (WARNING: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS)

Arashi - Are You Happy DVD [liveblog]

I literally wrote these notes as I was watching it so... bare with me ^^;;

Opening: Nino's giggle after singing his mini song about Aiba is so cute <3

• Live band right on stage, nice!
• Jun has slowly moved from taking 50% of the Penlight to control to like... 95% between Digitalian and now xD
• I am loving how they did the carts, making it see-through but with changeable lights. So nice.

Love so Sweet: I've just hit LSS and this concert does feel very "HAPPY" ^^

• MATSUMIYAAAAA
• Also can I just say - I love how they haven't really edited their voices this time around. THANK YOU.

Member Intro: What is this rad tune the band is playing for their intros? SO HAPPY :D

• How did Sho even say TOKYOOOOOOO for that long? I ran out of breath waiting for him to stop.
• Going from arena to this... they look so tiny even on DVD. Oh dear. 

Thoughts on Sho's Solo: Um. It's nice. I'm not a fan of Sho's solo on the album either so... ^^;;

• The background visuals for To my Homies is so cute ^^
• TENNEN <3333333

Drive: I am laughing imagining Jun actually driving while jamming out to music like this.

• Sakumoto parents w/ Takoyaki gang kids? Sho is the trophy wife.
• Holy fuck the penlight effect for Drive. WHAT A NICE TOUCH. This is already turning in to one of my most favourite performances of theirs, PERIOD.
• Aiba just lying on Ohmiya's laps.
• SERIOUSLY THE PENLIGHTS..

Step and Go/DYGI: Aw the ending of Drive w/ their overlapping hands leading into Step and Go is so cute <3

• JUNTOSSSSSHI. TOUCH THE BUTTTT
• This whole part in the car is SO CUTE
• "Forever feel my soul" is forever one of my most favourite English lines of theirs in a song, WTF
• Junba and Sakumiya <3
• Also whooooa Ohno's voice cracking and going off, whaaat.
• OMG JUN FISHING OHNO <33333
• This honestly just seems like such a fun concert. It's nice after how structured their past couple concerts have been - they finally get a chance to just let go and be super silly.
• Small Matsumiya during DYGI <3

Thoughts on Bad Boy: The opening talk in to Bad Boy is SO CUTE
I like it, but I expected a bit more to it. I expected it to be more intense dancing wise. But I like the mime movements a lot and to be honest, I think the silliness actually matches the overall tone of the concert so within the context of the whole show I don't mind. But dance-wise it is still a bit lacklustre for me. It's not bad, but like I said, I expected a bit more intensity.

Two to Tango -> Fight Song: Ohno really likes adding fluttery hands to his choreos

• Two to Tango looked a lot more interesting in the AYH documentary rehearsals ^^;; (but I also blame the way they're cutting the angles? Like wtf)
• the penlights *___*
• AoKimi is potentially seizure inducing, like... wow flashy lights
• Seriously their carts for this con are so cute <3
• Juntoshi fishing in fight song, omfg that's so cute <3
• THE ENDING TO FIGHT SONG WTF

MC: Sho's boot's that he's wearing for the MC - hot damn.

• I find it so amusing how confident and excited Arashi were for Aiba hosting Kouhaku.

Thoughts on Baby Blue:
This is really life. How long has it been since we've heard Jun's voice completely edited and nasally? I feel like I'm back in 2004 watching this concert honestly with how unedited the sound is. Also, I feel cheated that Jun isn't wearing a hideous baby blue suit, but to be fair he looks gorgeous like this. Also this performance is just so cute with all the pics with Jun and his friends. ALSO ALL THE PICS WITH BABIES. AWWWW. Please let him get married and have kids one day. Jun is so cute. I love him for shit like this. Singing a song like this and showing all his friends and uggggh T-T /bias af. SO CUTE.

Miles Away: MILESSSS AWAY FUCKING MINDBLOWN AND THE WAY THEY ENDED UP FUUUUUUUCK.

• CAN THE CONCERT JUST END RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW? CUZ SO PRETTY *___* 

Wonder Love: Oh damn, Wonder Love is also amazing. Another favourite of this concert.

Thoughts on Maya Kyou:
Oh poor Nino. This is easily the best solo performance of the concert though. Too be we can't see half of it. Especially if you have subs on. To be fair...  think if you have a really big TV and turn the subs off, it's not that bad? xD (No, it's still pretty bad, oh poor Nino). With that being said - and this is the same during Wonder Love as well. I looooved the lighting effects in the back. But you know. I would've also liked to see Nino?

Thoughts on Amore:
Aiba looks so good during this song. Why is he so good looking. Seriously, Aiba during concerts is like... fuck. He's so great. I love him. Stole my damn heart during arena and stealing my heart during AYH. ALSO ABS. Also I love how Aiba does shit like this. I feel like Aiba has joined Jun in the ranks of making super entertaining solos. I'm not even talking dance-wise, but just flat out entertainment and being an absolute blast to watch. What a guy. I love Jun, but Amore is definitely my second most favourite solo performance of this concert. Aw <3. I love how they specifically found fans with Aiba uchiwas to pinpoint on. Seriously this whole performance is so cute. I love this.

Seishun Boogie: Omfg the opening to Seishun Boogie. I love this so much, I haven't laughed so hard in such a long time. JUN SEX NOISES YA'LL. LOOK AT HIS DUMB SMILE AT THE END HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING. I AM DYING.

• I honestly love how silly this concert is. T-T

Happy Medley: Happiness with bongo drums? Never knew I needed this in my life until  now.

• Aw the penlights are spelling out Arashi <3
• More Matsumiya <33333
• This remix with Love Rainbow/Troublemaker is so great. I fucking love this. 

Encore: I seriously love Arashi's costumes for their encore. Could we have Sho and Aiba's jackets?

• MATSUMIYAAAAAA
• MATSUMIYAAAAAAAAAAAAA
• Ugh I can't take all the matsumiya, they're fucking married.
• MARRIED
• I AM SO BIAS I AM SORRY

Final Thoughts

Hands down, one of my most favourite concerts ever. It's so fun. Also - the fact that the sound isn't edited makes it so much better. I feel like I haven't heard Jun be this nasally, or Ohno fuck up in so long. And it's great! I love it. I love hearing Arashi singing again. But going back to how fun this concert was, don't get me wrong, Popcorn, Love, Digitalian, Japonism (dome), all great in their own way but I feel due to their themes (except popcorn), they were often very stiff. ESPECIALLY for Japonism. There wasn't much room to fool around, have fun, but in AYH you actually see the members smiling and laughing during their songs. Definitely a great concert for a great album. Well done Arashi.  

嵐 - Unknown [Eng translation]

(Translation Index: Here)

嵐 - Unknown

満ちてゆくNight　捉えようもない
我儘だけどほら　持て余した想い
(Oh-Oh　飾らないで　Oh-Oh　手渡すから)
意外そうなFace　こぼれ出すWord
嘘でも本当でも構いやしないさ
(Oh-Oh　確かな温度)　伝わってるから

The night is coming to an end, with no way to keep a hold of it
It's selfish but hey, these feelings just couldn't be controlled.
(Oh-Oh, don't put up a front, Oh-Oh, because I'll hand it over myself)
An unexpected face, a word that spills out,
It doesn't matter whether it's the truth or a lie,
(Oh-Oh, the exact degree) because it's understood anyway.

静かに打つ鼓動…
ふたりだけ分かる　色づき始めた合図
どこに辿り着くだろう…
カタチを失くして　ずっと向こうで　囁いてる愛へ

My pulse beats silently...
A signal that only the two of us understand, begins to change colours.
Where will things end up, I wonder...
Having lost it's shape, off into the distance, to our murmuring love.

決して叶わぬ夢　甘美にして
またリピートしてるRhythmが
Feeling inside, Feeling inside, Oh-Oh…　そのまま
まるで世界中に忘れられている
今夜だけの鍵を探そう
Feeling inside, Feeling inside, Oh-Oh…　ここから

This rhythm that's still repeating,
Turning a dream that will never be fulfilled, into something sweet.
Feeling inside, feeling inside, oh-oh... just like that.
Let's search for a key that's only for tonight,
which the entire world seems to have forgotten about.

触れてるだけ　崩れそうなTime
空白に今　何を描いてくだろう？
(Oh-Oh　委ねてBaby　Oh-Oh　見つかるまで)
ちっぽけなHeart　寄り添ったBeat
手探り　少しずつ優しさ重ねた
(Oh-Oh　溶け出す空気)　もうこのまま　包み込んで

Time, which seems like it will break with just a touch,
Right now, in this empty space, what will be drawn?
(Oh-oh, devoting myself baby, oh-oh, until I find it)
This tiny heart, a beat that comes ever closer,
Fumbling, bit by bit, a gentleness builds up.
(Oh-Oh, dissolving air) wrapping us up, just as we are.

I wanna feel you baby　脆く儚く
エゴイスティックなほど輝いて
深く迷い込んでゆくよ

I wanna feel you baby, fragile, fleeting,
Shining almost egotistically,
While deeply lost.

何を語っているの　その視線いま
理解しているようで　すれ違う
Feeling inside, Feeling inside, Oh-Oh…　そのまま
身体中巡ってる　このRhythmを
なくさないで今日の匂いを
Feeling inside, Feeling inside, Oh-Oh…　ここから

That look just now, what is it saying?
We disagreed while pretending to understand.
Feeling inside, feeling inside, oh-oh... just like that,
This rhythm, circulating throughout my body,
The smell of today that I don't want to lose.

浮ついた言葉なんて仕舞って
まだ知らない宇宙へ
Feeling inside, Feeling inside, Oh-Oh…　yeah
時の隙間に入り込んだみたいに
静寂へと　そうEscape
見えないモノ　見えないままで…

To end on such fickle words,
Heading into a universe we still know nothing about,
Feeling inside, feeling inside, oh-oh...yeah.
It's like we've stepped into a gap in time,
Escaping into the stillness
Until we're finally unable to see the things which cannot be seen.

明けゆく空もまだ
靄の中
果て見えぬ洞穴
こだま
散らかるモラルの殼
no matter
ah 保たない…

The dawning sky is once again,
covered in a haze,
This cave which we can't see the end of,
echoes,
with the remnants of our scattered morals.
No matter.
Ah, it won't last.

疼ぐのカラダが　未だ貴方が
何も変わらない　何も分からない
一つ定かな　あからさまなsaga
はなから　叶わないの我儘

This aching body, even now, you
haven't changed at all, and still don't understand anything at all.
One thing that is for sure, this straightforward saga,
from start to end, cannot bear such selfishness.

浮ついた言葉なんて仕舞って
まだ知らない宇宙へ
Feeling inside, Feeling inside, Oh-Oh…　yeah
時の隙間に入り込んだみたいに
静寂へと　そうEscape
見えないモノ　見えないままで…

To end on such fickle words,
Heading into a universe we still know nothing about,
Feeling inside, feeling inside, oh-oh...yeah.
It's like we've stepped into a gap in time,
Escaping into the stillness
Until we're finally unable to see the things which cannot be seen.

My stance on MaoJun

Do I think they are actually dating? The hell if I know. I'm not Mao and I'm not Jun. 

Would I like it if they were dating? HELL YES. 

Would I be upset if they were not dating? Absolutely not. Mao and Jun are there own people, I'm not going to dictate their lives for them. 

What do I think of all the tabloid articles? As a general principle, I rarely believe tabloids unless it contains an actual interview from the person themselves. So tabloids that are like "a friend of a friend said Mao and Jun are dating" I do not believe. The tabloid articles that have more direct interviews (Like the recent Josei Jishin one) I'm more inclined to believe, but unfortunately, usually those interviews give us no actual information whatsoever. 

What do I think about Mao's answers in the recent Josei Jishin article? I'm conflicted. I'm honestly very, very conflicted. Which is actually why I decided to make this post.