Heavens Divide / Koi No Yokushi Ryoku

This is the Metal Gear series' first character song CD made for those who want to experience both the Peace Walker theme song and the series' first character song made possible by Nana Mizuki, the Japanese CV of Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker's leading lady, Paz Ortega Andrade. This Maxi Single CD was out since Wednesday, April 7, the day when the final specifications of MGSPW were out, preparing for Asia's April 29 release and international version's June release.

Two words to describe this maxi single CD; tender but powerful. The first track in this maxi single CD, Heavens Divide, sung by Donna Burke, is sounded more like Calling to the Night, the ending theme from Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops, but the tone is relaxing at first and energetic all the way to the end of the song. That is why, I consider the song, Heavens Divide, as one of my favorite video game songs in my life. Take note that this song will be included in the Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker OST, coming next week. And now, after talking about Heavens Divide, it is now time to talk about the series' first character song. (Yay!)

The song, Koi No Yokushi Ryoku (which means love's deterrence in Japanese), adds something not only for MGS fans, but fans of Nana Mizuki, the popular seiyuu behind Fate Testarossa from Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha series, Moka Akashiya from Rosario+Vampire, Colette from Tales of Symphonia, and Hinata Hyuuga from Naruto series. It follows the same way as Heavens Divide, tender at first and energetic all the way. You might consider why because it sounded like one of Nana Mizuki's songs such as Phantom Minds, Trickster, Silent Bible, and others, because this is truly addicting in the ears of fans considering the number seven as their favorite number. (Because "nana" is seven in Japanese) It is just like what others said, Nana Mizuki's voice is too sexy for Paz Ortega Andrade. For those who want to hear this massive treat from Peace Walker, this maxi single CD is recommended not just for Metal Gear fans, but for the fans of Nana Mizuki as well. (I'm sure when the English-speaking members of S.C. Nana Net, the Nana Mizuki fan club, reading this blog, he or she will jump through the music store to buy this CD and listen it over and over until its nap time)

THIS TRULY THE BEST SONG YOU WON'T FIND IT ANYWHERE ELSE!

I'LL GIVE KOI NO YOKUSHI RYOKU A MASSIVE THUMBS-UP, SEVEN TIMES IN A ROW! YAY!


Limited Edition: There is a limited edition of this Maxi Single CD. It features an alternate cover of Paz Ortega Andrade (voiced by Nana Mizuki in the Japanese version of MGSPW and Tara Strong in the international version of MGSPW) which others find it amusing.

Nana Mizuki's voice is too sexy for Paz. ;-)

When I was listening to the February 18 episode of the Kojima Productions Japanese Podcast, titled Hideochannel Radio (hosted by the Metal Gear god, Hideo Kojima, Yumi Kikuchi, and others), this Japanese podcast gave us the first taste of when will Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker release to the market. (As if, they will launch PW Asia-wide at the end of April and U.S. and European markets this June) Not only that, next month, the original game soundtrack and get this, Metal Gear series' first character song album are set for release. In case you didn't recognize, the Metal Gear series' first character song album will be released in Japanese music stores this April 7 and it packs not only the theme song, titled Heavens Divide (sung by Donna Burke), but also the series' first character song, titled Koi no Yokushi Ryoku, sung by the Japanese voice actress of Peace Walker's Paz Ortega Andrade (the leading lady of this game) and also the seiyuu of one of the hottest anime roles (Fate Testarossa from Lyrical Nanoha series, Moka Akashiya from Rosario+Vampire, and Hinata from Naruto series), Nana Mizuki!

I might be able to get a simple review, but remember, the launch date for this maxi single CD is on April, but I'll give you guys an early description on the first character song album from the Metal Gear series. I love the song "Heavens Divide". (as heard from the MGS:PW TGS 2009 official trailer) That song looks more from the ending theme from Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops, titled Calling to the Night, sung by Natasha Farrow. Word from Konami is, they'll include this song on the Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker OST on sale a week after the series' first character song CD debuted. For the song "Koi no Yokushi Ryoku":

What can I say? Nana Mizuki's voice is too...

too...

too...

......

......

......

......

TOO DARN SEXY FOR THIS! I LOVE THIS! (Can't wait 'till April 7 to acquire it at a very reasonable price!)

Before witnessing the character song's music video, the Hideochannel Radio podcast gave us the first listen to this song. Although, I got to say, Hideo Kojima-san and Yumi Kikuchi-san undeniably love it! The powerful tone (similar to Nana Mizuki's song, Phantom Minds, from Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st), the sexy voice, nothing can stop this song from uplifting not only MGS fans, but Nana Mizuki fans as well!

Let's give Nana Mizuki-san a massive two thumbs up for this song! (Best to forget from the Korean otaku marrying a Fate Testarossa dakimakura...)

Oh, and for fans living in Japan, best to catch the last Nana Mizuki Live Academy concert this March 27 at the Nippon Gaishi Hall in Nagoya. 

Phantom Minds

After moments for Lyrical Nanoha fans experienced Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st, that was showed in Japanese theaters since January 23, they'll just can't get enough on listening the official opening theme song from this movie, Phantom Minds, sung by the seiyuu of Fate Testarossa from the Lyrical Nanoha series, Nana Mizuki.

This maxi single CD is packed with the official opening theme song of this movie, plus the other three songs sung by this lovely seiyuu which fans love to listen this maxi single CD everywhere. Forget the other three songs included in this CD, I'll talking about my reaction of this song;

This song is definitely a must-listen not only for the Lyrical Nanoha series fans, but also die-hard fans of Nana Mizuki-san herself. It packs a lot of powerful tempo, dynamic tones, and the lyrics which fans of Nana Mizuki find it enjoyable all over. Although I must say, this is truly the best Nana Mizuki song ever listened! Although, the song, Phantom Minds, is one of the best Nana Mizuki songs ever listened by fans, you'll just can't stop humming over the song's powerful and majestic tone over and over again.

I guess this song is too good for those who have already watched Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st, and the odds is definitely higher than Yukari Tamura's My Wish My Love, which of course the official closing song for this movie.