Anime Boston 2016: Follow My Lead (FML) -With Translated Lyrics-
Follow My Lead (FML)
Audio: "Female President" by Girl's Day
Anime: Baka and Test; Original Animation
Editor: Koopiskeva
Audience Audio: Friday & Saturday
Audience Video: Saturday
Lyrics: Provided by yankat
Review:
With over a year in the making (starting in November 2014), this AMV truly did catch my eye. As many know I am an anime fan but in reality, I am a fan of animation. Once the stop motion appeared, I was certainly intrigued. After all, this is the most unique AMV I have seen with it being the first time seeing stop motion used.
If you didn't know, the stop motion animation is based off the dance video for "Female President" by Girl's Day and boy did the editor did a good job with it. Frame by frame, the movements of the figmas were nearly identical to the original. Not only that but the editor also took the time recreate the scenes but with a Haruhi twist to them. I could have definitely made a side by side comparison of that but luckily, Koopiskeva already did so at • Follow My Lead (FML) - Dance Version . Of course, what shows more dedication is actually something small that could be easily missed, the figma's mouth, which were drawn in after to make it appear that they are actually singing.
I will admit, at first glance, the AMV does seem random. Then again, when it comes to Haruhi Suzumiya, it makes sense that it would be random. I mean truly, only Haruhi will think of helping the girls from Baka and Test with a choreographed dance and song. Nonetheless, this AMV truly shines once you understand the lyrics. You will not need to look further as I provided the lyrics as well. I am not going to go too much into it just because I do not want to spoil things for you but it is truly something I think the girls at Baka and Test needed to hear and an advice I think Haruhi would actually give.
Now I truly felt this AMV didn't get the praise that it truly deserved at Anime Boston. After all, it's harder for a non-English AMV to connect to a primary English speaking audience. Not only that, it was the very last finalist shown (35 of 35) so many of the audience was tired by that point, myself included. In fact, looking at the video will show that several several audience members were leaving in the middle of the AMV itself.
All said and done, Follow My Lead (FML) was a great AMV to watch. With such a great song and an amazing video, this AMV is truly this year's Hidden Gem.
Also, one last thing, congrats on the newest addition to the family Koopeskeva.