drama CD
Released
on April 18th 2007, Red Garden Rock Mix is a drama CD that contains
content supplementry to the anime storyline. It was produced due to the series'
popularity so a lot of the animation staff were involved in its creation.
The CD is a very enjoyable listen for those who are fans of the series. In
particular, it serves to flesh out some of the secondary cast including Lula,
JC, Sam and Nick. As well as add additional characterisation to prominent
television series characters (like the heroines.)
Each track gives us a different (and somewhat bizarre) insight into series events and character relationships. In the first track ("Rock! Rock! The Red Garden") we learn the history behind the first ending sequence, right down to Jessica and Paula's air guitar and the t-shirts Lula & JC wear. The second track ("Atashi wo Ganbanyoku Shiteru") has the heroines (along with Lula) going to a "ganbanyoku" (rock-based sauna) and conversing about personal issues/fashion while Nick & JC listen in from the men's sauna with a great deal of interest. The third track ("Doki Doki Majoko Kate-san!") has Kate hamming up her Animus position as a magical witch of sorts.
red garden rock mix cd
Track 01) Rock! Rock! The Red Garden (49:39)
Track 02) Atashi wo Ganbanyoku Shiteru (14:32)
Track 03) Doki Doki Majoko Kate-san! (8:40)
Lula's role on this CD is both prominent and vital, she is a participant in the main plotlines and is given a good deal of interaction with JC. Although she is still her perpetually stifled self, Lula is given a few opportunities to break out of her shell. Her attempt at seducing Sam, for example, is hilariously over-the-top (as is her laughter when Lucy fails at the exact same task.) Overall the CD is quite an indulgence for Lula fans and well worth the purchase price. She even gets to grace the cover in an original fujijun illustration drawn especially for the CD! So if you enjoy the sample downloads on offer here, I strongly advise that you purchase the original album.