It has been quite some time since Yozora No Mukou has been played. I was rearranging some folders on my drive when this was retouched. Upon listening to the song last night, I recall how ecstatic I was when previewing it years ago and instantly fall in love with it again.

Yozora No Mukou is SMAP’s 27th single and ranked #1 in sales for 1998. It is a beautiful ballad with powerful lyrics and a peaceful melody. The angsty solo parts are sang beautifully by Kimura Takuya along with the harmonized chorus by the other SMAP members. Did I mention that the songwriter is fabulous Suga Shikao who had composed Aozora Pedal for Arashi?

Without further ado, here is the song that Japan raved about more than a dozen years ago:

Yozora No Mukou (Beyond The Night Sky)
by SMAP
Composed and written by Suga Shikao

Are kara boku tachi wa
Nanika wo shinjite koreta ka naa…
Yozora no mukou niwa
Ashita ga mou matte iru

Ever since then
I wonder if we could come to believe in something…
Beyond the night sky
Tomorrow is already waiting
Continue reading →

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I had finished watching Darker than Black (both seasons and OVA) over the weekend and became quite intrigued by the 2nd season’s opening theme, Tsukiakari no Michishirube.

The music is quite catchy and simply grows on you as time progresses. The vocals are strong and emotionally, blending well with the composition. The lyrics are amazing and extremely positive – moonlight which guides one’s path (away from darkness, evil, etc).

So without much ado, here is Tsukiakari no Michishirube by Stereopony:

Romanji and English Lyrics from Deciphered Melody:

kotae no nai mainichi ga
tada sugite yuku jikan ga
kore kara saki dounaru no darou?
wakaranai…

These [answerless] days and
this time that just passes by,
where will they lead me?
I don’t know…

Continue reading →

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• I.D.E.A. ~Boku wa mainichi, yume o miru~ by RoST
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• Owaranai Yume no Naka de by Project Arms

So did everyone guess the right singer? It’s Inoue Kazuhiko, the infamous seiyū of Naruto‘s Hatake Kakashi. I’ve always been a fan of Inoue-sensei due to his beautiful and heavenly voice. I wouldn’t mind listening him all day.

The title of the song is Kurenaino Namidano Hitoyo, which is the character song for Tachibana no Tomomasa from the Harukanaru Toki no Naka de franchise. (It’s a otome video game and anime…and yes, I have gradually become a fan of. LOL) Doesn’t your heart melt after listening to !? I went all giddy after the first sampling LOL. Inoue-sensei’s singing is quite sexy and emotional compared to his tranquil, monotonous speaking voice. Both of which are love.

Here are the lyrics:

Kurenaino Namidano Hitoyo (Dear Woman with Red Tears)
by Tachibana no Tomomasa (voiced by Inoue Kazuhiko)
Series: Harukanaru Toki no Naka de – Hachiyou Shou

Akai namida nagasu onnaga iruto iu
Donna koini kegarenaki mune itametanoka

It is said that there is a woman who sheds red tears
To what sort of love has her pure heart been broken?

Continue reading →

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• I.D.E.A. ~Boku wa mainichi, yume o miru~ by RoST
• Life goes on ~side K~ by CHEMISTRY
• Arrival by by Morikawa Toshiyuki and Miki Shinichiro
• Owaranai Yume no Naka de by Project Arms

I have to admit that I’ve grown to adore Kame these past years, acting wise rather his idol persona. Though, I have sample some of his solos, none left an impression until now. By accident, 1582 was stumbled upon a few weeks ago, this is his solo for the KATTUN Break the Records album. It was certainly not love a first sight, but its historical attributes and intense lyrics were reasons to give the song another try. Eventually, the song become a must-listen-to.

You’re probably wondering what’s 1582 like I was. It’s actually an important date in Japan history…the year where the infamous Oda Nobunaga was defeated and had perished. Thus, many fans have speculated that the song relates to the battle at Honnouji temple as many outdated kanji were used. I have to agree since Kame’s solo performance had revolved around traditional clothing and battle metaphors, may I say it was one breathtaking production! Do a search on Youtube, I guarantee that you will be amazed.

There are actually two version of the solo, CD version is from a woman’s point of view (as Kame had explained) while the concert one consist of both genders. Though, I enjoyed both edition, I found the concert one more interesting and intensifying – the desperate feeling of leaving a loved one and dying the next morning. It’s very much like Nobunaga heading to battle and never returning to his wife. Somehow I found this very fitting to Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan as well < -- my latest obsession.

Here is the fabulous concert version along with its lyrics: