Search - Toshiro Masuda :: Mahoromatic

Mahoro Mambo!

Rolando Hernandez Jr. | Visalia | 10/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"32 Tracks in total: 2 vocal tracks(the Opening and Ending songs), 2 karaoke tracks(Op and Ed), 5 omake message tracks by Mahoro in japanese, and 23 BGM tracks. I really like the background music in anime and this CD features some of the best I've heard. There's lots of upbeat tunes in here that set a light and fun mood. There's also a few emotional mahoro tracks sprinkled here and there that are sweet. (Especially if you remember the anime scenes that they're from). And I think 2 or 3 vesper BGM's which are a little dark but essential.The only vocal tracks on this cd are the opening song and the ending(mahoro de mambo). I like that little dance sequence at the end which made me like mahoro de mambo even more! Karaoke versions of these songs are also here.The 5 Omake messages from mahoro are fun. Even though I barely understood the jist of what she's saying, She sounds cute as always. There is one track included called "kappu raamen taimaa" I'm guessing when you put hot water to your cup of ramen, you play this track and mahoro will count down and give you tips until it's ready. If you've seen mahoromatic, I recommend this CD highly. The sound quality is Superior to a lot of other anime soundtracks, and the disc art is nice."

Mix of bubbly fun, heartfelt instrumentals, that's Mahoromat

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 10/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

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The songs and instrumentals of Mahoromatic Automatic Maiden, the story of a devoted and gentle android maid to Suguru Misato, an orphaned junior high student, provide a successful mix to the comedy/action anime series. It benefits from strong opening and closing theme songs, cutesy synth pop instrumentals, and is one of my favourite anime soundtracks after Fruits Basket and Azumanga Daioh.



The heartfelt pop strings ballad "On The Way Home" or "Kaerimichi" is sung by Ayako Kawasumi, Mahoro's voice actress, and this is the full-length version, with a second verse not used in the anime. Kawasumi's singing voice is plenty good.



Where as the opening song was a heartfelt pop ballad, the closing theme song-also full length-is an infectious mambo number titled "Mahoro de Mambo," sung by Yumi Kikuchi, Manabi Mizuno, and Asami Sanada, the voice actresses for Suguru's female friends Miyuki, Rin, Chizu, respectively. They shower Mahoro with praises as a femme ideal. However, there are some suggestive lyrics: "Oh my maiden's purity/use force if you have to but just take it." Hokay! However, I got a laugh out of "small b-bies, big eyes, oh, do you know Mahoro?" If I were a girl, I'm not sure how I'd feel being described as such. One of my favourite anime theme songs ever! And yes, there are karaoke versions of both themes.



Most of the instrumentals are brisk and cheery gems, such as "Yes, That's Me," used whenever Suguru leaves for school and Mahoro says "have a nice day" before starting on another hard day cleaning house. "Take A Break" is the same tune, but with a pizzicato synth and a gentle samba-type guitar. The danceable "Miss Maid Came To My House" is also used throughout the series, and for sheer bubbliness, there's "The Grade 8, Division 4's Everyone," used when Suguru's friends are on the scene, though it is used when Chizu's dishing out loud praises over Mahoro's dishes. The frantic "Clamor! Clamor! Clamor!" sports a bouncy synth and some rock guitar matching the tempo. A silly kazoo and squeaky noisemaker makes "That Brat Almost Cut To Pieces" comical.



The quaint classical-like strings of "I Think Dirty Thoughts Are Bad" are used in the Satellite Poem segments of the show, as well as when Mahoro lectures Suguru on her disapproval of dirty magazines.



A funky jazzy motif is used for Saori Shikijou, the busty homeroom teacher of Suguru and friends, on "Lady Teacher." However, "Shikijou's Eroticism (Night Section)," features a wailing naughty sax, used in Shikijou's naughty fantasies with her and her student-hasn't she heard of statutory you-know-what? It's amazing what anime can get away with.



Some of the instrumental tracks are on the grim side. "Vesper's Great Soldier" is a quick-paced action themed number used in the opening narration explaining Mahoro as the ultimate combat warrior. However, "Sadness Beyond the Battlefield" is the haunting , complete with airy synths, tense drums and keyboards, and a haunting vocal chorus. This was used in the first half of the promo trailer for Mahoromatic and also battle flashback scenes, particularly one that fills Mahoro with guilt regarding her master's father. The sombre "Memory of Mistake" is used when Mahoro reflects how if Suguru found out the connection between Mahoro and his father's death, that Suguru would hate her.



The cello and violins of the gentle "Last Wish" is a theme on Mahoro's last wish, of serving Suguru with every fibre of her being until her runtime expires and she dies; it reminds me of some of the emotional tunes in the Ai Yori Aoshi soundtracks. A variation of that song uses some acoustic guitar and a synth sound similar to the sound used in the instrumental section of Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony." And "At The Hydrangea Garden" is an instrumental of the song Mahoro was singing when Suguru hears her singing in his garden before she introduces herself to him.



OK, those who want to play this on random may want to burn songs 1 through 27. Tracks 28 through 32 are spoken word tracks by Ayako Kawasumi, Mahoro herself. Her wake up call and comforting good night call are soothing and gentle, something one'd expect from that maid pure of heart. However, Cup-O-Noodle timer has her counting up to 180, interrupting the countdown by various factoids and advice on cup ramen. Often she has to comically and frantically catch up and count faster.



"This path we walked together. Someday, someday, I will return here. Is my voice being heard? To my love" --"Kaerimichi."

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