Bakuretsu Hunter VC (Vocal Collection)

BAKURETSU HUNTER VC (Vocal Collection)

© Akahori Satoshi, Omio Rei/Media Works, Bakuretsu Committee, TV Tokyo, Sotsu Agency
King Records
KICA 306, 5 June 1996
15 tracks, 67:13
･3000

— by Mark Johnson

1. Until Strawberry Sherbet 5:00

(Hayashibara Megumi / Tira Misu)

2. Youshanaku Dangerous! [Mercifully Dangerous] 3:09

(Furumoto Shinnosuke / Carrot Glaze)

3. Are Kore BODY LANGUAGE [That This Body Language] 4:59

(Mizutani Yuuko / Chocolat Misu)

4. Donna Title mo Boku wa Iranai [I Don't Need Any Titles] 5:04

(Madono Mitsuaki / Melon Glaze)

5. Kimi ga Inakya Owaranai [It Can't End if You're Not Here] 4:19

(Midori Kawana)

6. Anata no Tame ni Bishoumuno [The smile is because of you] 4:20

(Shimamoto Sumi / Big Mam)

7. Shigoto Dayoo [It's Work!] 4:08

(Tamagawa Sakiko / Daughter)

8. Futari no Ginza Sanshoume [Two People's Third Block in Ginza] 4:21

(Yanada Kiyoyuki & Madono Mitsuaki / Gateau Moca & Melon Glaze)

9. Aa Subarashi Kikana Jinsei [Ahh, It's a Wonderful Life] 4:20

(Tachiki Fumihiko)

10. Motomo Jyanai Kamo [Maybe It's Not Motomo] 4:21

(Kawana Midori)

11. FAI FAI TUI 4:03

(Hayashibara Megumi / Tira Misu)

12. Anata Jyanakya Dame Nadoni [Bad if It's Not With You] 4:30

(Mizutani Yuuko / Chocolat Misu)

13. Sunday Afternoon 4:24

(Hayashibara Megumi / Tira Misu)

14. Ren Ai Shijyou Shugi [Belief in Love Supreme] 4:54

(Mizutani Yuuko / Chocolat Misu)

15. Until Strawberry Sherbet—Dual Vocal Version 5:16

(Hayashibara Megumi & Gregg Lee)

BAKURETSU HUNTER (or sometimes called The Sorceror Hunters) enjoyed a nice run as a radio drama as well as a TV anime series (and now OVA series). This CD is purely a compilation of the vocal songs from the two season radio CD collection (ten CDs in all).
The plot of Carrot and crew cleaning up the continent of Spurna of tyrannical sorcerors is a fun fast-paced romp. Of course, much of the story comes from the character interactions, including the overly jealous (and part time S&M girls) Chocolat and Tira, which certainly comes out in this vocal collection. And the character's voices were not done by amateurs, with talent such as Hayashibara Megumi (you name it, she's probably in it) as Tira Misu, Mizutani Yuuko (well known for Mihoshi) as Chocolat Misu, Furumoto Shinnosuke (Hiro from H2) as Carrot Glaze, Shimamoto Sumi (Kyoko from MAISON IKKOKU, Ginrei from GIANT ROBO and Nausicaä from NAUSICAÄ) as Big Mam, and Tamagawa Sakiko (Natsumi from TAIHO SHICHAUZO) as Daughter.
The CD starts with "Until Strawberry Sherbet", a very catchy light rap / pop song with Hayashibara performing both sides of a conversation (in English and Japanese). This song is redone as a bonus track at the end of the CD, with Gregg Lee taking the English side, although I found the original version to be more enjoyable. Do not expect to understand much from the English lyrics though ("Why do you think I wear GQ? I give you my best shot" for instance). "FAI FAI TUI" and "Sunday Afternoon" is also standard Hayashibara fare: light Japanese pop.
"Youshanaku Dangerous!" (Mercifully Dangerous) sung by Furumoto tries to have Carrot prove how manly he is, complete with cute voices in the Chorus chanting "Yea!" And "Are Kore BODY LANGUAGE" (That This Body Language) has Mizutani Yuuko as Chocolat performing with a suggestive theme (not surprisingly)..
"Donna Title mo Boku wa Iranai" (I Don't Need Any Titles) by Melon's character is a light pop tune, showing his soft personality (complete with monologue) while "Futari no Ginza Sanshoume" (Two People's Third Block in Ginza) is a funny duet with Melon and Gateau complete with a male chorus singing "Bap, ba, ba-wa".
Sung by Kawana Midori, "Kimi ga Inakya Owari wa Iranai" (It Can't End if You're Not Here) is a standard light hearted poppy song, while "Motomo Jyanai Kamo" (Maybe That's Not Motomo) is a full, in-your-face headbanging piece with a cute high pitched girl chorus. Very addictive.
The supporting cast also has their time at the mike, with the haunting song "Anata no Tame ni Bishoumuno" (The Smile is because of You) sung by Big Mam's voice, and a cute piece by Daughter called "Shigoto Dayoo" (It's Work). An overdramatic sentai style song called "Aa Subarashi Kikana Jinsei" (Ah, It's a Wonderful Life) is performed by Tachiki Fumihiko.
And also sung by Chocholat's character, "Anata Jyanakya Dame Nadoni" (Bad if it's not with you) and "Ren Ai Shijyou Shugi" (Belief in Love Supreme) are more light pop songs.
Overall, this is a character piece, much like the TENCHI MUYO! vocal collections: above average and average songs which have extra meaning for fans of the show. Songs like "Until Strawberry Sherbet" and "Motomo Jyanai Kamo" stand out as my favorites, and the others are good in their own rights too. However, if you are looking for the TV series songs you will have to look elsewhere (the TV soundtracks or the CD single "What's up Guys?" / "Mask" KIDA-120). Though I would probably not suggest this to newcomers to BAKURETSU HUNTER (and I am sure the overdrawn cover art may scare off the faint of heart), if you are a fan of the series and its characters, I can certainly recommend this as a good collection of fun songs.