- VerseTaku
- Archive
- Page 13
Archive

Nas's God's Son and Saint Seiya: The Sanctuary: Battle of the Gods
"God's Son" is the sixth studio album by American rapper Nas, released in December 2002. This album is a reflection of Nas’s life and experiences, diving into themes of pain, redemption, and self-discovery. It’s clear in this work that Nas grapples with the legacy of his upbringing in the Queensbridge projects and the murder of his mother. "Saint Seiya: The Sanctuary", also known as "Battle of the Gods", is an anime based on the manga of the same name by Masami Kurumada. This series introduces us to a group of warriors named the Saints, who are the champions of hope that have always appeared since the Age of Myth whenever evil threatens the world.

Future's FUTURE and Psycho-Pass: The Future of Society
In an age where music and visual narratives interlace more intricately than ever, Future's "FUTURE" and the dystopian world of "Psycho-Pass" stand out as poignant explorations of the human condition set against a backdrop of societal upheaval. This issue of VerseTaku peels back the layers of artistry to a core of shared emotions and themes.

Travis Scott's Rodeo and Cowboy Bebop: The Rodeo of the Stars
Travis Scott's seminal 2015 album Rodeo spins a tale as turbulent and compelling as the bucking motion of its namesake. It's a soundscape of chaotic beauty, an urban odyssey through Scott's experiences, dreams, and the culture that shaped him. Meanwhile, Cowboy Bebop, the cult-classic anime, takes us on a different kind of journey - one that rides the dark, jazz-infused space lanes with a crew of bounty hunters, searching for their next meal ticket and a sense of belonging.

Tinashe's Aquarius and Aquarion: Fluid Dynamics of Love and War
Dive into a spectral synthesis of sound and animation as we explore the melodic waters of Tinashe's "Aquarius" and the cosmic depths of the anime series "Aquarion." Let’s unravel the tapestry of themes they share, from the streams of passion to the tides of conflict, and see how they create ripples in the realms of audio and visual storytelling.

Tribe Called Quest's "We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service" and GATE: Where Two Worlds Meet
In this issue of VerseTaku, we juxtapose the legacy of musical prophets A Tribe Called Quest with the fantastical realms of the anime/manga series GATE. At first glance, a veteran hip-hop group's final album and a Japanese narrative about a portal between worlds may seem worlds apart. Yet, both are powerful reflections on society, identity, and the tumultuous journey of bridging disparate worlds.

Ab-Soul's Do What Thou Wilt and Fate/stay night: Determining Fate
Ab-Soul's "Do What Thou Wilt." — an album ricocheted out of the TDE camp that digs deep into the realms of introspection, philosophy, and the human condition, delivered by the incisive and spiritually inclined lyricism of Ab-Soul. Fate/stay night — a highly-acclaimed visual novel turned anime and manga series, presents a complex narrative woven with fantasy, deep moral questions, and the intricate dance of fate and free will. Both are journeys not just of characters, but of profound existential quests, embarking through the spectrum of light and darkness that reside within and beyond.

Big K.R.I.T.'s Cadillactica and Redline: Racing to the Edge
Cadillactica: a journey through space and self, Big K.R.I.T.'s sophomore album is a bold exploration of societal roots and personal evolution. It goes beyond the surface of traditional hip-hop rhetoric to dissect the complexity of identity in a modern cosmos. Redline: this fast-paced movie catapults you into the universe of intergalactic racing, adrenaline-soaked ambition, and the raw human spirit. It's not just another racing anime; it's a deep dive into the psyche of competitors who risk it all for glory.

JID's The Never Story and The Ancient Magus' Bride: Tales of the Neverseen
JID's 'The Never Story' emerges as a powerhouse hip-hop debut, weaving tales of personal struggle, ambition, and resilience. It's an album that resonates with the grit of reality while hinting at the escapism found within dreams and storytelling. In parallel, 'The Ancient Magus' Bride' anime and manga series envelopes us in a fantastical narrative where magic intertwines with the mundane, and character growth arises from encounters with the otherworldly.

N.E.R.D's Seeing Sounds and Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront): Sensing the Unseen
Exploring the rhythmic chaos of N.E.R.D's third studio album, "Seeing Sounds," and the otherworldly hustle of "Kekkai Sensen" (Blood Blockade Battlefront), we find ourselves entangled in a symphony of the senses. Both these masterpieces, though residing in different mediums, craft vivid tales and evoke emotions that transcend the ordinary, delving into the realm of the extraordinary.

Curren$y's Pilot Talk and Porco Rosso: High-Flying Tales
Diving into Curren$y's Pilot Talk and the animated skies of Studio Ghibli's Porco Rosso, we're set to explore tales that soar above clouds both mechanically and metaphorically. A hip-hop standout jetting across sounds and a scarlet seaplane cutting through the cerulean tapestry of the Mediterranean, articulate their stories of freedom, identity, and solitude.

Majid Jordan's The Space Between and 5 Centimeters Per Second: The Space Between Hearts
Embarking on a journey through melodic waves and visual poignancy, we unite two distinct forms of art: Majid Jordan's album The Space Between and the anime 5 Centimeters Per Second. These forms, one expressed in audible rhythms and the other in colorful frames, convey the profound narrative of human connections, longing, and the poignant spaces that define us.

Sade's Lovers Rock and Lovely Complex: The Rock of Love
In the soothing embrace of Sade Adu's voice lies the velvety album Lovers Rock—a timeless collection of songs that navigate the tempestuous seas of love with a calming serenity. Released in 2000, this ten-track album breathes stories of affection, strength in vulnerability, and the resilience of the human spirit. Parallel to this auditory journey, we have Lovely Complex, a manga and anime series by Aya Nakahara. Through the lens of a romantic comedy, it offers a heartwarming look at the dynamic between Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Otani, teenagers grappling with societal norms and their own feelings.