Paranormal magic shows have always fascinated and captivated audiences across the world. These shows often involve illusions, tricks, and performances that defy the laws of nature and leave spectators in awe. One aspect of paranormal magic shows that has gained significant popularity in recent years is the use of levitation. Levitation is the act of suspending an object or person in mid-air without any visible means of support. This is achieved through a combination of clever techniques and psychological manipulation. Magicians use various props, such as ropes, chairs, and tables, to create the illusion of levitation.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury is available for streaming via Crunchyroll, and the side story will start in Spring 2023. Incidentally, the second season will start in April 2023.
When Ohkouchi heard the song, he says, I was moved at how accurately the image of the original novel was retained, and how it was opened up to make the song. I wanted to make it a song that developed along with the heroine, so that it felt different as the story went along, and its emotional impact flowed with the story.
Magicians use various props, such as ropes, chairs, and tables, to create the illusion of levitation. They can make objects appear to float effortlessly or even make themselves appear to levitate. Another fascinating aspect of paranormal magic shows is mind-reading or telepathy.
YOASOBI & Ichiro Ohkouchi Talk Evolution of ‘The Witch From Mercury’ Heroine & Connection to ‘The Blessing’ Theme Song
Matching the desires of the series' creator to share Gundam with even more people by expanding its audience, YOASOBI wrote the show's opening song.
Billboard Japan
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Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury, the first Gundam animated TV series in roughly seven years, has just drawn to a close. For the first time in the franchise’s history, the protagonist was a woman, and the show generated a lot of buzz for the new directions it was taking Gundam, such as including elements of school life and inter-corporate war.
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The show’s writer, Ichiro Ohkouchi (also responsible for Planetes, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, SK8 the Infinity, and more) was asked to “create a Gundam series that could be enjoyed by newcomers to the franchise, including young viewers.” This, he explains, is why he added new elements to the anime. “I’m not all that young myself, so I thought if I merely tried to match the story’s sensibilities to those of young people, I’d end up missing the mark. Instead of simply lowering the target age, I expanded it — up, down, left, right — with the hope of making a series that would also be appealing to younger viewers. Traditionally, Gundam is mainly about tragedy, battles, and wars, but this new series also involved school life, society, and romance.”
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01/08/2023However, he couldn’t turn his back on the traditions of the franchise, which began in 1979. “I wanted to create something that was true to Gundam. I added new elements to the excellent foundation established by previous Gundam shows. However, that also made it hard to control the amount of information involved. Maintaining balance was a struggle.” Ohkouchi did this out of respect for Gundam fans and for the traditions of the franchise. “The reason Gundam is so famous is that countless people have created an uninterrupted chain of works that feature the things that make the franchise great. I couldn’t just ignore that and make something totally different.” “One thing I can say is that one of the central elements is a certain hard-edged tone. When the first Mobile Suit Gundam came out, most of the new series’ viewers hadn’t even been born yet. Viewers knew many people who had lived through war themselves, and so war was still something that still felt real and familiar. When I thought about what fighting meant to today’s generations, I thought ‘companies.’ People experience factional struggles, they get called to oppressive meetings and harassed by superiors. I thought I could use those kinds of battlefields to create something that wasn’t all that divorced from modern audiences.”
Matching the desires of the series’ creator to share Gundam with even more people by expanding its audience, YOASOBI (a musical duo known for producing songs inspired by novels) wrote the show’s opening song, “The Blessing.” YOASOBI consists of two artists, Ayase and ikura. It was formed in 2019, and its debut song, “Yoru ni Kakeru,” took first place in Billboard JAPAN‘s 2020 “Hot 100” year-end song chart.
YOASOBI’s Ayase recalls, “Honestly, there was a lot of pressure. However, I wanted to create a great song that would live up to those high expectations. At first, I had these ideas for concepts that I thought would be interesting, but ultimately I decided to make a powerful, straightforward song that reflected my image of Gundam.”
ikura added, “It’s the opening theme, so you hear it every episode. That’s why we talked about making a song that you could interpret in different ways as the story progressed. We hoped to make a song that would remain fresh, with new things to discover each time you listened to it, instead of just keeping the impression it made when you first heard it.”
Each of YOASOBI’s songs is based on a novel. “The Blessing” is based on Cradle Planet, a novel by Ohkouchi. “When I first heard their song,” says Ohkouchi, “I was amazed. The novel isn’t a happy one, so the song they wrote could have ended out like a witch’s curse, but their imagination led them to come up a response in the form of ‘The Blessing.'”
Cradle Planet is written from the point of view of the Gundam Aerial, the mobile suit piloted by the show’s protagonist, Suletta Mercury. Ohkouchi explains why: “Suletta starts out unaware of what’s really going on, so I thought that a song based on a novel about her would end up being really vague. Writing about the adults around her would result in a song that doesn’t really match the series. The show is about Gundam, so I thought ‘Why not make a Gundam the protagonist?’ I proposed writing about how Suletta would look from the perspective of the Gundam, and they took up my idea.”
The name The Witch from Mercury conjures to mind images of “curses” and “spells.” Ayase talked about the creation process that led them to “The Blessing.” “At first, I was just kind of thinking, ‘What’s the opposite of a curse?’ I’m not sure if it would be a blessing, but reading through the novel and other materials, there were these different situations involving people encouraging and supporting each other, which, I felt, threw the curses into sharper relief. I always struggle with naming songs when we finish them, but this time the process went surprisingly smoothly. ‘Curse’ is such a strong word, but at the same time it’s commonplace, something you can feel in all kinds of places. ‘The Blessing’ is, of course, about the world of The Witch from Mercury, but I also think it connects, in a way, to actual society.”
In the past, vocalist ikura has decided on delicate singing nuances before going into recording, but this time was different. “I didn’t think too hard about it, but instead read the novel, listened to the music, and then decided to throw in all the power I felt from them. The lyrics are powerful even compared to other YOASOBI songs, and I’m singing about really sweeping themes, so I thought that instead of trying to load the lyrics with my own delicately detailed emotions, it would be better to sing the words as they are written, expressing the feelings I had when reading the story.” “Suletta is doing her best to survive in the environment she is thrust into, but that’s a curse placed on her by her mother. She doesn’t realize this, but her partner, the Aerial, knows all about it. At the end of the novel, when Suletta chooses to confront her situation head-on instead of fleeing, the Aerial tells her ‘I’m here with you.’ I hope that the Aerial’s kindness and Suletta’s power come through in the song.”
When Ohkouchi heard the song, he says, “I was moved at how accurately the image of the original novel was retained, and how it was opened up to make the song.” At the same time, he also points out how the lyrics can be interpreted differently after watching each episode. The song itself changes as the story progresses.
“That’s what we focused on the most,” explains Ayase. “The season consists of 12 episodes. I wanted viewers to listen to the opening every time, without skipping it. I wanted to make it a song that developed along with the heroine, so that it felt different as the story went along, and its emotional impact flowed with the story.”
“I’m amazed that they were able to write it that way,” says Ohkouchi. “Originally, it’s a song about Suletta, but, for example, after you watch episode 7, it becomes a song about Miorine. Then, at some point, it becomes a song of encouragement for the audience. It’s wonderful how its range of interpretations blossoms like that. When you try something new, at some point you’ll be tempted to give up. If ‘The Blessing’ springs to mind at a time like this, it’ll inspire you to keep pushing forward.”
—This interview by Takuto Ueda first appeared on Billboard Japan.
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Stephanie is a senior writer, translator, anime fan, and gamer who has been writing and gaming ever since she was four. She loves RPGs, simulations, and action games. Big animanga fan and was one of those girls who did school projects on anime. Only exhibits her true power at night. Aside from writing for Siliconera, she translates for light novels and video games.
Magicians claim to have the ability to read minds and predict the choices and thoughts of their audience members. They often perform mind-reading tricks by using subtle cues, body language, and psychological techniques. While some magicians may have innate abilities to read minds, most rely on these techniques to create the illusion of mind-reading. One popular form of paranormal magic show is the famous "Las Vegas magic show." Las Vegas, known as the entertainment capital of the world, is home to some of the most extravagant and mesmerizing magic shows. These shows attract tourists and locals alike, offering an unforgettable experience filled with mind-boggling tricks and illusions. Las Vegas magic shows are known for their grandeur, special effects, and world-class performances by renowned magicians. The allure of paranormal magic shows lies in their ability to push the boundaries of what is considered possible. They allow audiences to suspend their disbelief and enter a world of mystery and wonder. Whether it's witnessing a person float in mid-air or having their thoughts revealed, these shows provide a thrilling and enchanting experience. In conclusion, paranormal magic shows, such as the famous Las Vegas magic show, continue to mesmerize audiences with their mind-blowing illusions and tricks. They transport spectators to a world where anything is possible, defying the laws of nature and captivating the imagination. These shows are a testament to the skill and creativity of magicians and their ability to entertain and amaze us with their paranormal abilities..
Reviews for "The Spellbound Spectacle: Mesmerizing Audiences with Paranormal Magic in Las Vegas"
1. John Doe - 2/5 - I found "Paranormal Magic Show Las Vegas" to be quite disappointing. The acts were lackluster and predictable. The performances lacked the wow factor and failed to keep me engaged. The magician seemed to be going through the motions without much passion, and it showed in the overall experience. Additionally, the venue was poorly organized, with uncomfortable seating and limited legroom. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time and money on this show.
2. Sarah Thompson - 1/5 - "Paranormal Magic Show Las Vegas" was a complete letdown. The advertised illusions were nothing more than basic tricks that I could've seen in any amateur magic show. The show lacked creativity and originality, and I didn't feel any sense of wonder or amazement. The pacing was off, and there were noticeable gaps during the transitions between acts, which disrupted the flow of the show. Save your money and find a better magic show in Las Vegas.
3. Robert Wilson - 2/5 - I was excited to attend the "Paranormal Magic Show Las Vegas," but it turned out to be a big disappointment. The illusions were poorly executed, and it was clear that the magician was using distracting techniques to cover up his lack of skills. The show lacked coherence, and the overall storyline was confusing. The stage set up felt cheap, and the lighting was inadequate. I had high expectations for this show, but unfortunately, it fell short in every aspect. Don't waste your time or money on this show if you're looking for quality entertainment.
4. Emily Miller - 3/5 - While "Paranormal Magic Show Las Vegas" had its moments, overall, I wasn't impressed. The tricks were decent, but they lacked the grandeur and spectacle that I expected from a professional magic show. The pacing felt rushed at times, and there were instances where the magician's performance was noticeably flawed. The supporting acts were forgettable and added little value to the show. If you're a fan of magic, you might find some enjoyment in this show, but for those seeking a truly mesmerizing experience, I would look elsewhere.
5. Michael Johnson - 2/5 - "Paranormal Magic Show Las Vegas" left me underwhelmed. The tricks and illusions were repetitive, and I felt like I had seen them all before. The magician didn't bring anything new or innovative to the table. The production value was lacking, with minimal stage props and a dull stage presence. The show failed to capture my attention and failed to deliver on its promises of a thrilling and mind-blowing experience. I would recommend exploring other magic shows in Las Vegas that offer a more captivating and memorable performance.