#gmv

※I recommend reading the link below before reading the review.

Title: The 10th Struggle

Post date: 10 Jul 2023

Length: 2:29

Song:The 13th Struggle (Larxene) ~Kingdom Hearts III~

This time, I’ll be looking back on a video titled The 10th Struggle, which I uploaded on July 10, 2023. This was my 50th video, and this review also marks the 50th entry in the series—a real milestone. For this video, I used a Kingdom Hearts track for the first time in ten years. Back on July 10, 2013, I uploaded The 10th Reflection, and exactly ten years later, I released this video. Yes, that timing was completely intentional. In fact, the video itself had already been finished by June 2023, but as I mentioned, I deliberately held off on uploading it so it would line up with the ten-year anniversary. Between that little story and the fact that it was my 50th video, this one has remained especially memorable to me. Now, let’s begin.

About the song

The track used here is a battle theme from the Kingdom Hearts series, specifically the arrangement created for the Larxene battle in Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind. Compared to the original version, this arrangement features a full orchestral style, adding a heavier, more dramatic feel to the original’s speed and intensity. The piano sections create tension and momentum, while the strings add anxiety and theatrical flair. What stands out most to me personally is the contrast between the aggressive sections and the quieter, more restrained moments. The original track loops at around 1 minute and 30 seconds, but this arrangement stretches to about 2 and a half minutes. That extra length gives the music a much stronger sense of drama, which was one of the main reasons I chose this version over the original. This isn’t unique to this track either—many of the Re Mind arrangements tend to have longer loops compared to their original counterparts.

Features of this video

As the title suggests, the core concept of this video is “struggle” and “resistance.” It begins with the exchange, “Your duties as guardian will soon end.” “Yeah, I know.” From there, many of the lines revolve around resisting fate and fighting against the circumstances the characters are trapped in. From 0:05 to 0:33, I filled the video with lines expressing determination and hardship in battle, all presented with a dark visual tone and atmosphere. I think this opening immediately tells the viewer that this video is going to have a serious and somber mood. During the part where Tidus repeatedly says “Don’t you run away,” you can hear laughter layered in the background—this was actually created by editing Rikku’s laugh. After Auron’s repeated “Fight, fight,” the section from 0:39 to 1:00 shifts into something quieter and more mysterious. One of my favorite moments is at 0:50, where Yuna declares her resolve while the aeons appear one after another behind her. It really feels like the full cast assembling before the battle. Then, from 1:00 to 1:11, the tone becomes unexpectedly comedic. Something about that part of the music felt slightly playful to me, so I decided to make it the most humorous section in the entire video. Auron’s “I am… tired.” and “Not too good.” lines add a strangely melancholic charm there.

The mood changes dramatically again from 1:11 to 1:28, which effectively marks the beginning of the second half of the video. Since this is the most intense section of the song, I chose lines with a lot of momentum and aggression. Visually, I used glitch effects and wiggle effects to emphasize the chaos and intensity. I think these effects worked especially well in scenes where character footage rushes forward from the background toward the screen, as well as during Tidus’s battle sequences. From 1:28 to 1:40, I repeated battle lines rhythmically to give the sequence a stronger sense of pacing. Combat scenes are always fun to work with because both the visuals and voice clips naturally carry so much energy. Looking back on it now, though, this section is actually pretty comedic too—even if that wasn’t intentional at the time. Then, from 1:40 to 1:50, the video returns to a quieter and more reflective atmosphere. The music here felt somewhat melancholic, so I chose scenes of Tidus and Yuna gazing over the Zanarkand ruins. After that, from 1:50 to 2:12, the song remains calm and flowing, but with a brighter and more grandiose tone. Because of that, I selected lines that suggested hope for the future, while the visuals relied heavily on glow effects to create a mystical atmosphere. Finally, the climax beginning at 2:12 rapidly flashes images of Tidus and Yuna alongside on-screen dialogue subtitles, carrying the video forward with relentless momentum until the very end.

Even though each section expresses different emotions, I think the overall theme of “struggle” and “resistance” comes through clearly across all the characters. Incidentally, the sequence beginning with “My old man became Sin” is actually something I had already done in a similar way back in The 10th Reflection in 2013. Overall, I’m very satisfied with how both the audio and visuals turned out in this video. The only small regret I have is that I wish I could have included Larxene herself somewhere, even briefly. Still, to compensate for that, I incorporated many lightning-inspired visual effects—mainly using Particle Illusion—to evoke her presence indirectly. Using a Kingdom Hearts track again after ten years brought back both nostalgia and a sense of freshness at the same time. It was an incredibly exciting feeling, and one I’ll never forget. And as it turned out, this video marked the beginning of me using Kingdom Hearts music much more frequently afterward.

My favorite scenes

0:05-0:27 A scene filled with lightning imagery inspired by Larxene. It’s also a strangely unique sequence where stillness and chaos coexist. (Since the file size is large, only still an image is attached.)

0:39-1:00 A mysterious and almost spiritual section. I really wanted to include the moment where all the aeons appear. (Since the file size is large, only still an image is attached.)

1:12-1:28 The most intense part of the entire video. Figuring out how to integrate Tidus’s battle scenes was especially important here. (Since the file size is large, only still an image is attached.)

※I recommend reading the link below before reading the review.

Title: Force Your Story

Post date: 25 Mar 2023

Length: 1:56

Song:Force Your Way(FFVIII)

This time, I'm going to look back at a video titled Force Your Story, which I posted on March 25, 2023. It had been a while since I last used a fast-paced, high-BPM track. But more than that, what really stands out about this video—something I’ll touch on later—is that its overall atmosphere feels very similar to my works from around 2012–2013. In fact, I intentionally kept that in mind during production. It’s also true that, compared to my more recent videos, this one relied more on spontaneity and intuition while I was making it. While the overall direction is still serious and emphasizes a sense of determination and intensity, I think there are a few light or playful touches here and there. It’s a slight shift from the previous video, but for fans of otomad/YTPMV, this kind of tone and style might actually be more approachable. Now, let’s begin.

About the song

This track is used in boss battles in Final Fantasy VIII. Its prominent use of organ and synthesizer gives it a strong, heroic feel. Since it appears frequently throughout the game, anyone who has played FFVIII will likely remember it well. It’s also interesting to compare it to the standard battle theme, “Don’t Be Afraid,” which has a more orchestral tone, whereas this track leans more toward rock. However, what stands out most to me is that the song shifts into 7/8 time midway through, making it a progressive rock piece. When the chorus begins, it returns to 4/4 time, creating a powerful sense of release after the buildup in 7/8. It’s the kind of composition that makes you think, “This is classic Nobuo Uematsu”—everything feels carefully calculated. The track is quite popular and has many arrangements, but personally, I still prefer the original version the most.

Features of this video

Unlike my previous two videos, this one opens with a very dense, almost overwhelming combination of visuals and audio. With Spira text flowing in the background and multiple images appearing in rapid succession, the opening feels intentionally chaotic. This was a direct response to the song’s fast-paced beginning—I wanted the editing to match that energy. However, from 0:22 onward, the structure becomes more restrained. While still dynamic, the visuals transition more smoothly, with slightly reduced on-screen intensity. From 0:34 to 1:00, the music settles down further, and I adjusted the pacing to let both visuals and dialogue breathe more. I was able to incorporate lines from many different characters here, which made both the audio and visual editing particularly enjoyable. At 1:00, which marks the start of the latter half, the video abruptly shifts with a shout from Tidus, creating a completely different atmosphere from the first half. From there, I built up momentum toward the chorus.

Between 1:07 and 1:28, I used the iconic pre-battle scene with Yunalesca—something any FFX player would instantly recognize. For this section, I wanted to preserve the strength of the original scene as much as possible, so I deliberately kept editing to a minimum. In essence, it’s more of a carefully arranged cut-and-paste approach (though I did align the lines to Reaper’s grid and applied effects like glow). In fact, this was one of the first ideas I decided on when creating this video. I felt that the bravery conveyed by this track would pair perfectly with the Yunalesca pre-battle scene—and I think it worked very well. You could even say it’s the highlight of the entire video. From 1:28 onward, I continued matching the song’s intensity with energetic dialogue, while also adding a few playful touches—such as incorporating visuals and images from FFVIII and Dissidia. Personally, I’m especially fond of the moment at 1:39, where the line “Strike Now! Hard and Fast!” fits perfectly, as well as the scene at 1:43, where visuals from Dissidia and FFVIII overlap.

After some time had passed, I went back and rewatched the video, and it really struck me that the first minute isn’t so much about conveying a clear message or concept—instead, it’s all about packing in energetic lines to create a fast, punchy rhythm. I was struggling to come up with solid ideas at the time, so parts of it were honestly driven by momentum.That aspect, in particular, feels very reminiscent of otomad/YTPMV videos from around 2012–2013. If I had to compare it to one of my own works, it’s closest to the style of Battle1 (FFIX) ~DFF & FFX Remix~, which I uploaded back in 2012. I never expected that in 2023 I’d find myself circling back to a style from over a decade ago—but every now and then, I think it’s nice to do something like that.

My favorite scenes

0:00-0:22 A highly dense and fast-paced opening. It was also the most time-consuming part to edit. (Since the file size is large, only still an image is attached.)

1:06-1:28 The Yunalesca pre-battle scene. Come to think of it, I hadn’t actually used this scene much in my videos before.

1:39-1:45 The “Strike Now! Hard and Fast!” line and the overlapping Dissidia and FFVIII visuals came together really well.

Warning: Violence, lots of flashing lights, potential spoilers

Title: Choke

Editors: JocoBesT, Basary

Song: Choke

Artist: Royal & the Serpent

Game: Honkai: Star Rail

※I recommend reading the link below before reading the review.

Title: I'm not alone

Post date: 24 Dec 2022

Length: 2:02

Song:You're Not Alone ~DFFNT Version~

This time, I'm going to look back at a video titled I’m not alone, which I posted on December 24, 2022. I think this is the video where the shift in my style and overall approach—first seen in the previous work—became much more pronounced. The biggest change is how much more serious the tone has become, along with a stronger AMV/GMV-like atmosphere. There’s no humor in this piece; if anything, it leans heavily into being a tribute to Final Fantasy X. Because of this shift, I feel my videos now resonate more deeply with viewers who have actually played FFX and feel attached to its story and characters. On the other hand, this style makes it much harder for newcomers—those unfamiliar with FFX—to enjoy the video at all, so it’s fair to say my content has become more niche. Change always comes with both gains and losses, and this is a clear example of that. Now, let’s begin.

About the song

This track comes from DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY NT, and is an arrangement of a piece originally used in a key event scene in Final Fantasy IX. The original track carries a strong sense of tragedy, while also conveying the courage to face harsh reality. Although it’s only used once in FFIX, the scene it accompanies is extremely popular among fans, which in turn has made the track itself highly regarded. It was also featured in Dissidia Duodecim Final Fantasy. This arrangement increases the BPM from 140 to 150, transforming it into a more upbeat, rock-style track. It really feels like a battle theme, and personally, I find it incredibly exciting to imagine fighting while listening to it. Initially, I considered using the original version for this video, but ultimately chose the arrangement because its faster tempo made it much easier to work lines into the track.

Features of this video

The core concept of this video is the idea that “you are not alone—you are supported by those around you.” While this isn’t the central theme of FFX itself, it’s something I strongly wanted to express, especially since I was using a track inspired by You’re Not Alone. The opening focuses on dialogue that highlights Yuna’s inner strength as a summoner, paired with slow-moving visuals to create a quiet, reflective atmosphere. Like my previous video, I kept the beginning subdued because of the song’s soft intro. One key moment here is Tidus’s line, “You’re not alone.” This line doesn’t actually exist in FFX, but since it’s also the title of the original track, I really wanted to include it—so I created it by editing together other lines from Tidus.

From 0:12 to 0:37, I used many positive lines from Tidus and Yuna about facing hardship, with visuals that rely on gently moving still images to avoid becoming overly flashy. The text shown at 0:25–0:31 uses the Yevon font, and the text at 0:35–0:37 uses the Spira font—both spelling out “You’re not alone.” From 0:38 to 1:04, the tone shifts slightly, featuring exchanges between Tidus and other characters, giving the sequence a somewhat lighter feel. I did want to include lines from other characters, but I was also concerned about straying from the core concept, so I chose to incorporate them here before the chorus.

The chorus starting at 1:04 centers on the message: you’re not alone—believe in me. This is reflected in moments like Tidus’s lonely monologue followed by the appearance of his companions (1:04–1:12), and Jecht’s line, “Believe me, trust me,” at 1:16. However, the true highlight of the video is the final sequence beginning at 1:42, where Yuna runs forward and is welcomed by her companions. This scene took a considerable amount of time to edit, but I’m very satisfied with how it turned out—it conveys both strength and a sense of wonder. The closing line, Yuna’s “I’m not alone,” serves as a perfect response to Tidus’s earlier line, tying the entire piece together. Another detail worth mentioning is the addition of a chorus starting at 1:28. The original DFFNT arrangement didn’t include one, but I added it to enhance the sense of strength and also as a nod to the original You’re Not Alone, which features a chorus in a similar section. For this, I used the Ronso Hymn, which felt like a perfect fit for conveying power and unity.

Throughout this video, I made a conscious effort to vary the structure and presentation to avoid a monotonous flow. I did struggle at times, wondering if there might be better ways to present certain parts, but in the end, I feel I was able to express the concept I had in mind. Come to think of it, this video makes heavy use of still images. That wasn’t entirely intentional, but it’s a natural continuation of the direction I started exploring in the previous work.

My favorite scenes

0:00~0:12 A quiet opening that signals the beginning of the story. The imagery of Gaia and Terra’s moons from FFIX intersecting is a small personal touch.

1:04~1:13 The moment where Tidus’s monologue transitions into the appearance of his companions—this scene captures the core theme of this video.

1:42~1:55 Yuna running toward the companions waiting for her. Combined with the final line “I’m not alone,” this moment feels especially emotional.

Warning: Violence, flashing lights, profane language

Title: Wuthering Waves but Cyberpunk 2077 Trailer

Editor: JocoBesT

Audio: "Cyberpunk 2077" E3 2018 Trailer

Game: Wuthering Waves

I haven't done an AMV in a hot minute

Moxrider, with background Tomko (The Chosen Hunter)/Elena

Subtextually, yes. I never stop thinking about how Elena almost certainly has CPTSD from every man she ever even starts to care about getting kidnapped and/or killed in front of her. (Volk is apparently the only exception since he's not a romantic interest)

I love him so much