Hey folks.

I'd like to share my two cents on Nelson Ike.

I see quite a bit of criticism and bashing on him. While I admit he's not the best narrator/singer in the world and has his flaws, he's one of the things that made me love SH.

The reason is weird, simple and obvious. He's not japanese [or at least pure japanese].

No, this isn't prejudice on my part. It's the opposite to it. I've always perceived japanese people has prideful and I've heard quite a few stories about prejudice on foreigners. Even japanese communities outside Japan sometimes collaborate to that impression.

And yet there it is, Nelson Ike, a man that screams "foreigner" in the dream band. He doesn't seem japanese, doesn't look, sound or act like one. Nor he seems to try to.

It just shows Sound Horizon as a band without prejudices. A band that isn't afraid to be intercultural, like their songs are. And not only i think this is a good think, I expect to see more of it. For it makes me see Sound Horizon not as a japanese fantasy band, but as a fantasy band that happens to be in Japan.

Also, his declaration on the first day of the third territorial expansion was amazing. He may not be the best at what he does, but he surely is healthy to the band.

PS: I've written "janapese" EVERY SINGLE TIME in this post before proofreading it. What the hell?

I personally like Ike. He adds his own flavor to Sound Horizon, and I don't think anyone can deny that he certainly leaves an impact with all his rousing narrations. He has his own style, and Sound Horizon trusts him to do his thing, so I'll trust in their decisions, too. Also he's a really fun nice dude! I really like Ike!

I really agree.

The only problem is that some of the fans have prejudice, and think him funny/bad not because of his flaw in narrating-a. k. a. 'getting too excited during lives', but because of the fact that he's African-American.
For example, I've seen a fan think the sole appearance of him in his/her dreams funny, though-according to that fan-he did nothing funny in his/her dream, and other people agreed with him/her, lol.

[EDIT]
No offense intended here...

I absolutely adore Ike...
He's so kind and makes me smile when he comes on stage and does a bit of comedy

People shoot him down in his live narration, but I don't think it is ike's fault.
He can talk at normal volume in the recording because it is properly mixed in, but if he did tha tlive, then you wouldn't be able to hear him. He then has to narrate louder live, but i've noticed tha his voice goes quite high (Still beefy, but high) which clashes with other frequencies which is a problem, and always has been with vocals. Male vocalists voices always clash with the guitars and around the 4000khz freqency.
People shouldn't bash him about his live narration because it is NOT HIS FAULT!!

I think he's got a really well presented voice and in meiou especially, sounds really epic.
And I love his vocals on sound horizon invaded

If Ike hadn't been a part of the band maybe I'd never had wanted to know more about the lyrics in SH. I don't understand anything in Japanese and what got me interested in the stories is the only part in the songs I could understand: the English narrations.

It's true that some of his live performances are... maybe a bit too enthusiastic but it usually doesn't bother me too much. The only time where my ears are bleeding is the beginning of Doreitachi no Eiyuu in TTE 3.

He's definitely not the best narrator in SH but I really like him, he has his touch and he's really funny especially with Jimang! I hope he comes back in the next album because I love hearing him and I couldn't imagine SH without him.

TRULY AGREED!!!
I bet nobody in SH can sing that well as a subvocal singing about one octave lower than Revo.
I also really like his rap in that song, and also in 'Chou← Jyuu↓ Ryoku↑'!
..But honestly, in lives, I still think he's better as a rapper than a narrator, though...;;;

.... I actually had no idea people disliked Ike! Personally, i think he's funny, and don't get why people wouldn't like him! I don't see anything wrong with being enthusiastic during the concerts, it doesn't bother me 0.o

I love Ike! Sure, his rapping in Sound Horizon Invaded is embarrassingly bad, but I still love it! He has fun live, which is part of performing. He makes a couple mistakes here or there, but he's really part of the team and is a cool dude.

Heh, I really him He has nice expressions, and his english is understandable. He seems kind (like a big and protective brother or father figure), and he can be really funny too. His low voice is nice extra for SH, and as a narrator I think he does quite well.

I have "Invaded" in my mp3 player It's very catchy.