supercell - 僕らのあしあと Bokura no ashiato

Black Rock Shooter (BRS) ended today at 8 episodes. One of the shortest series I have watched but still it was good. BRS was anything but typical, to me at least. I guess it was sort of a growing up anime but with very intense emotions.
 School students having to deal with extreme family backgrounds and how they break down under all the stress. At the same time, each of them have an avatar in another world who are all fighting and bearing their pain for them. This is a very simplified summary for BRS so if you are confused, you should definitely check it out. It is only 8 episodes long after all. On a side note, I really liked the ending as it wasn't something I would expect after watching the first few episodes. Also, some words of caution to those who want to watch it. You need to really prepare your mind for the incoming intense mind screwing but rest assured when you actually finish watching the last episode, you will feel a lot better.
Now, about the actual song. The title reads "bokura no ashiato" which translates to "our footsteps". It is by supercell and it came in the same CD as kokuhaku. It is a song written specifically for the anime with "the other me" being their avatars in the other world. It is a soothing song that really calms you down after each episode of BRS.

この道をどこまでも行こう
これまでの日々を抱えて　ああ　これからも
心の中にいるもう一人の自分に尋ねながら
さあ　歩いていこう

誰かのようになりたくて
だけどなれるはずもなくて　ああ　いじけるなら
心の中にいるもう一人の自分が教えてくれる

あるがままなんかじゃきっと
いられないから
誰もが皆悩んでもがいている
弱音吐いたり愚痴ってみたり
そうやって毎日を過ごしてる
傷つけられることに慣れた僕らは知ってる
優しさとか思いだけじゃ生きていけないことを
だけど自分らしくありたいと思うんだ
いつだって僕ら歩いてく

確かな強さが欲しくて
誰かに認められたくて　ああ　探してる
地図なき旅路さ
口笛でも吹いて焦らずいこう

得たものもあるけれどそれ以上にね
たくさんのものを失ってきた
迷い続けて　途方に暮れて
それでもさ　願うんだよ
明日の自分

言葉じゃうまく伝えることができない僕ら
何をしても悲しくなるばかりで口をつぐむ
だけど自分らしくありたいと思うんだ
どうしたって僕ら歩いてく

幾つもの痛みを　幾つもの挫折を
繰り返して進んでゆく
不器用なまま一歩ずつ

傷つけられることに慣れた僕らは知ってる
本当は愛されたくて仕方がないことを
認める勇気が持てないのならば
もう迷わず手を伸ばそう
優しさとか想いだけじゃ生きてゆけはしない
だからこそ自分らしくありたいと願うのです
希望を数えて　明日を数えて
そうやって僕ら歩いてく
まだ見ぬ明日へ歩いてく
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kono michi wo doko made mo ikou
koremade no hibi wo kakaete aa korekara mo
kokoro no naka ni iru mou hitori no jibun ni tazune nagara
saa aruite ikou

dareka no you ni naritakute
dakedo nareru hazu mo nakute aa ijikeru nara
kokoro no naka ni iru mou hitori no jibun ga oshiete kureru
aru ga mama nanka jya kitto
irarenai kara
daremo ga minna nayande mogaiteiru
yowane haitari guchitte mitari
sou yatte mainichi wo sugoshiteru

kizu tsuke rareru koto ni nareta bokura wa shitteru
yasashisa toka omoi dake jya ikite ikenai koto wo
dakedo jibun rashiku aritai to omounda
itsudatte bokura aruiteku

tashikana tsuyosa ga hoshikute
dareka ni mitome raretakute aa sagashiteru
chizu naki tabiji sa
kuchibue demo fuite aserazu ikou

eta mono mo aru keredo sore ijyou ni ne
takusan no mono wo ushinatte kita
mayoi tsudukete tohou ni kurete
sore demo sa negaunda yo
ashita no jibun

kotoba jya umaku tsutaeru koto ga dekinai bokura
nani wo shitemo kanashikunaru bakari de kuchi wo tsugumu
dakedo jibun rashiku aritai to omounda
doushitatte bokura aruiteku

ikutsu mono itami wo ikutsu mono zasetsu wo
kurikaeshite susundeyuku
bukiyou na mama ippo zutsu
kizu tsuke rareru koto ni nareta bokura wa shitteru
hontou wa aisaretakute shikata ga nai koto wo
mitomeru yuuki ga motenai no naraba
mou mayowazu te wo nobasou
yasashisa toka omoi dake jya ikite yuke wa shinai
dakara koso jibun rashiku aritai to negau no desu
kibou wo kazoete ashita wo kazoete
sou yatte bokura aruiteku
mada minu ashita he aruiteku
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We will go no matter where this path leads
Carrying the burden of days past and the days to come too
While asking the other me inside my heart
Let's walk forward

Wanting to be like someone else
Even though it is impossible....growing timid because you feel inferior
The other you in your heart will teach you

If you remain how you are now
You will not be needed
Everyone is worrying and struggling with this
Complaining and grumbling
Wasting the days away

We know because we are used to getting hurt
that just kindness and thoughts won't get you through life
but even so, I still want to be myself
No matter when, we will be walking forward

Wanting strength
Wanting to be acknowledged....still searching for it
On this journey without a map
Whistle a tune and don't rush yourself

We have gained some things but even more than that
we have lost
Wandering and being at a loss
but even so I still wish for
my tomorrow self

We cannot convey it properly with words
No matter what we do we always end up miserable and so we seal our lips
Even so I still wish to be myself
No matter what, we will walk forward

Countless pain and countless setbacks
get repeated as we move on
one step at a time, clumsily

We know because we are used to getting hurt
that in reality we just want to be loved so bad that we are helpless
If you don't have the courage to acknowledge this
Stop hesitating and stretch out your hand
You can't get through life with just kindness and thoughts
That is why we wish to stay ourselves
Let's move forward
while counting our hopes and tomorrows
Let's move forward towards a tomorrow still unknown

SPYAIR - My World

Feeling down lately. I'm having that phase where I seem to fail at everything i do. So as I was watching Gundam Age, this song really resonated with me.
Asemu Asuno, pilot of the Gundam and yet nothing seems to go well for him. The expectations of his father who is a big shot commander and war hero in the army. The strictness he treats Asemu with irregardless of their blood relation. The expectations placed upon Asemu from everyone around to become a great pilot like his father. In a twist of fate, having to fight his best friend in a war. Sometimes hurting a girl he likes due to his incompetence and hesitance.
Well, for all of you feeling down out there.

壁にもたれて　一晩中　考えてみたんだ　自分のこと
選んだ行く先はここでいいのか？　分からなくなるんだ
でも　答えなんて出ないままさ　ドコにいたって必死なモノさ
うつむいた視線を　少し上げ　見えた朝は澄んでた

僕が僕であるために。。。
失っちゃいけないモノはなに？
簡単に出ない　答えは　辛くて苦しいよ
たった一度のMissを何度もクヨクヨしないで
歩けば　愛せるかな　My World

大事にしたいと思うほど　どうして離れてくのだろう？
「もうこれ以上はない」と言いながら　また求めるけど。。。
形の見えないモノに　名前をつけて　「夢」や「愛」と
呼ぶことで少し　誇らしき気　Ah本当はそうなんじゃないのに。。。

僕が僕であるために。。。
この言葉が迷わせる
簡単に出ない　答えは　辛くて苦しいよ
せめて、前を向いて行こう　モタモタせずに
探し物は見つかるはず　このWorldで

伝わらなくて　投げ出した
全部壊れてしまえばいいと思っていた
でも違う。。。
悲しみさえ　優しさに変えていけたら
少しずつだけど　世界を好きになれる
だから。。。

僕が僕であるために。。。
それがナニかを探して
傷つき　立ち止まり　辛くて苦しいよ
だけど、一度っきりだ　自分をクヨクヨ責めずに
歩けば　愛せるさ　My World

光は進む先にある
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kabe ni motarete hitobanjyuu kangaete mitanda jibun no koto
eranda yukusaki wa koko de ii no ka? wakara nakunarunda
demo kotae nante denai mama sa doko ni itatte hisshi na mono sa
utsumuita shisen wo sukoshi age mieta asa wa sundeta

boku ga boku de aru tame ni...
ushinaccha ikenai mono wa nani?
kantan ni denai kotae wa tsurakute kurushii yo
tatta ichido no misu wo nando mo kuyokuyo shinai de
arukeba aiseru kana My World

daiji ni shitai to omou hodo doushite hanareteku no darou?
"mou kore ijyou wa nai" to iinagara mata motomeru kedo...
katachi no mienai mono ni namae wo tsukete "yume" ya "ai" to
yobukoto de sukoshi hokorashiki Ah hontou wa sounan jyanai no ni

boku ga boku de aru tame ni...
kono kotoba ga mayowaseru
kantan ni denai kotae wa tsurakute kurushii yo
semete, mae wo muite ikou mota mota sezu ni
sagashimono wa mitsukeru hazu kono World de

tsutawaranakute nagedashita
zenbu kowarete shimaeba ii to omotteita
demo chigau...
kanashimi sae yasashisa ni kaete iketara
sukoshizutsu dakedo sekai wo suki ni nareru
dakara...

boku ga boku de aru tame ni
sore ga nani ka wo sagashite
kizutsuki tachidomari tsurakute kurushii yo
dakedo, ichidokkiri da jibun wo kuyokuyo semezu ni
arukeba aiseru sa My World

hikari wa susumu saki ni aru
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leaning on the wall through the night, I was thinking about myself
Is the path I chose alright? I can't seem to convince myself anymore
The answer I need isn't easily found. I grew more and more desperate
However, as I raised my head a little, the sun rose as the skies cleared

For me to be me
What is it that I cannot lose?
It is excruciating that the answer isn't easily found
Don't keep moping over one mistake
If I start moving forward, will I be able to love My World?

Why is it that the more I try to treasure something, the further it leaves me?
Even when I say "It can't get any worse than this", I still wish for it
Naming formless things "Dreams" and "Love" and
proudly calling them that when it can't be any further from the truth

For me to be me
These very words confuse me
It is excruciating that the answer isn't easily found
At least I know I have to keep moving forward and stop wasting time
because I am certain I can find my answer in this World

Not handing it down, I threw it out
I thought everything should just be destroyed
but something is off
If I can turn sadness into kindness
Then bit by bit, I can start to love this world
That is why

For me to be me
I am searching for something
Hurting others, hesitating, it's excruciating
but just for once, try not putting all the blame on myself
because if I move forward, I will definitely love it. My World

There is light ahead

supercell - 告白 Kokuhaku

The second ending song for Guilty Crown. 告白 read as kokuhaku, translates to confession (of love). A pretty cheerful song i should say, so much so that sometimes after a sad episode it feels out of place. I think the first stanza is something to look out for.
 If you sacrificed yourself to save me, how should I think when I am all alone?
The rest of the lyrics depict this very everyday situation between a boy and a girl. A "what if?" situation for Inori and Shu if they were just normal students in our world.

もしも僕のため　君が身を挺して
僕の代わりに死んでしまったなら
そんな世界に残された僕は
一人何を思えばいい

覚えてるかな
君を好きになった僕は思いついたんだ
にこりともしない君を絶対に
笑わせてやろうってね

だけどそんな考えは見事に打ち砕かれた
僕は結局一人で笑ってばかりいたんだ
「まるでこれじゃ道化師だ、君の専属でございます」
なんておどけて言ったってまったく無反応で

笑え　君のために
僕は何度だってくしゃくしゃになって
無茶苦茶になって　言うよ
泣きたいくらいに笑えるくらい
好きだよってさ

時を重ね思いを重ね
そうやってずっと近くにいて
当たり前だった君がいなくなって
その重さを知ったんだ

あの日その手を離さず強くつかまえてたなら
僕は結局一人で自己満足していただけ
「まるでこれじゃ嘘つきだ、君のためとか言っちゃって」
そうつぶやいた言葉でさえ届かなくて


走れ君のもとへ
僕は何度だって転んでやる
迷ってやる
待っていて　今すぐに行くから
どんな困難がそこにあっても


それは運命のはずだった
君と僕は永久にともに
なのに君だけいないのならば
僕は時を駆けて会いに行くよ


「そして君が自らを犠牲にして
僕を助けてくれたのならば
今度こそ僕は君を守ってみせるから
僕を信じて」


笑え　君のために
僕は何度だってくしゃくしゃになって
無茶苦茶になって　世界が明日に終わろうとも

掴め　君のその手を 
僕はもう絶対に離しはしない
約束しよう　僕にこの命ある限り
必ず幸せにしよう
何度だって笑わせるから
だから僕についてきてほしい
いいだろう？
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
moshimo boku no tame kimi ga mi wo teishite
boku no kawari ni shinde shimatta nara
sonna sekai ni nokosareta boku wa
hitori nani wo omoeba ii


oboeteru kana
kimi wo suki ni natta boku wa omoi tsuitanda
nikori tomo shinai kimi wo zettai ni
warawasete yarou tte ne


dakedo sonna kangae wa migoto ni uchi kudakareta
boku ha kekkyoku hitori de waratte bakari itanda
[marude korejya doukeshi da, kimi no senzoku de gozaimasu]
nante odokete ittatte mattaku muhannou de


warae kimi no tame ni
boku wa nando datte kusha kusha ni natte
mucha kucha ni natte iu yo
nakitai kurai ni waraeru kurai
suki dayotte sa


toki wo kasane omoi wo kasane
sou yatte zutto chikaku ni te
atarimae datta kimi ga inakunatte
sono omosa wo shittanda


ano hi sono te wo hanasazu tsuyoku tsukamaeteta nara
boku wa kekkyoku hitori de jikomanzoku shiteita dake
[marude korejya usotsuki da, kimi no tame toka icchatte]
sou tsubuyaita kotoba de sae todokanakute

hashire kimi no moto e
boku wa nando datte koronde yaru
mayotte yaru
matte ite ima sugu ni iku kara
donna konnan ga soko ni atte mo


sore wa unmei no hazu datta
kimi to boku wa towa ni tomo ni
nanoni kimi dake inai no naraba
boku wa toki wo kakete ai ni iku yo

[soshite kimi wa mizukara wo gisei ni shite
boku wo tasukete kureta no naraba
kondo koso boku wa kimi wo mamotte miseru kara
boku wo shinjite]

warae kimi no tame ni
boku wa nando datte kusha kusha ni natte
mucha kucha ni natte sekai ga ashita ni owarou to mo

tsukame kimi no sono te wo 
boku wa mou zettai ni hanashi wa shinai
yakusoku shiyou boku ni kono inochi aru kagiri
kanarazu shiawase ni shiyou
nando datte warawaseru kara
dakara boku ni tsuite kite hoshii
ii darou?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you were to step up
and die in my place
What should I think of?
Alone in this world

I wonder if you remember
As I grew to like you, an idea stuck me
I realized you don't smile much
So I wanted to make you laugh  


However this thought was admirably destroyed
In the end I was always the only one laughing
"I'm like you exclusive clown" I joked
Though you gave absolute no response


Please laugh
For your sake I got gloomy and sometimes reckless
but I'll say it
I like you so much it makes me want to laugh and cry


Overlap time and thoughts
That was how I always stayed by your side
I got so used to having you around
That I really felt the weight when you were not there


If only I hadn't let go of your hand that day and grabbed on tightly
In the end I was only doing it for self-satisfaction
"I'm a liar, saying it was all for you"
Even these words i muttered couldn't reach you


I'll run to where you are
I'll fall
and lose my way
but please wait a bit more because I'll be right there
no matter what difficulties may await me


It seemed destined
that we will be together forever
but if you aren't there
I'll jump through time just to meet you


"If you sacrificed yourself to save me
then this time I will definitely protect you
Believe me" 


Please laugh
For your sake I got gloomy and sometimes reckless
Even if the world threatens to end tomorrow

I will grab your hand
Never letting go again
I'll promise you this that as long as I am alive
I will make you happy
I'll fill your life with laughter
That's why I want you to follow me
Is that alright?

EGOIST - The Everlasting Guilty Crown

The second opening to Guilty Crown. Compared to My Dearest, this song is more intense as the anime heads towards its climax in its second season. I feel that Koeda now has a better mastery over her voice and I am starting to enjoy her singing more.
The lyrics this time touches on conflicts again. With reference to Guilty Crown, in a collapsing world where everything is grim, don't lose sight of important things. We all have the strength to continue living.
To sum it up, it's a song by Inori for Shu in season 2.

世界は終わりを告げようとしてる
誰にももう止められはしない
始まる
崩壊の交響曲が鳴り響いて
降る雨はまるで涙の音色

教えて

支配し支配され人達は
いつかその心に憎しみを
そして愛することを思い出せず
争うの？

この歌が聞こえてる
命ある全ての者よ
真実はあなたの胸の中にある
嵐の海を行く時も
決して臆することのない強さを
くれるから

けれども進むほど風は強く
希望の灯はやがて消えていく
「明かりをよこせ」と奪い合い
果てに人は殺し合う
涙などとうに枯れて

気付いて

その目は互いを認めるため
その声は想いを伝えるため
その手は大事な人と繋ぐためにある

この歌が聞こえてる
世界中の寄る辺なき者よ
希望はあなたの胸の中にある
燃え盛る焔の中でも
決して傷付くことのない強さを
くれるから

その手で守ろうとしたものは
愛する者だったのだろうか
紅く染まったその手を眺めて
やっと自らがしてきた愚かさを
過ちと認めるその罪を
とめどなくあふれるその涙を知る

この歌が聞こえてる
命ある全ての者よ
真実はあなたの胸の中にある
嵐の海は静まった
失ったものは数え切れなくとも

この歌が聞こえてる
世界中の寄る辺なき者よ
希望はあなたの胸の中にある
悲しみの夜を超える時
必ずあなたは生きていく強さを
持ってるから
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sekai wa owari wo tsugeyou to shiteru
dare ni mo mou tomerare wa shinai
hajimaru
houkai no symphony ga nari hibiite
furu ame wa marude namida no neiro

oshiete

shihai shi shihai sare hitotachi wa
itsuka sono kokoro ni nikushimi wo
soshite aisuru koto wo omoi dasezu
arasou no?

kono uta ga kikoeteru
inochi aru subete no mono yo
shinjitsu wa anata no mune no naka ni aru
arashi no umi wo iku toki mo
kesshite okusuru koto no nai tsuyosa wo
kureru kara

keredomo susumu hodo kaze wa tsuyoku
kibou no hi wa yagate kieteiku
[akari wo yokose] to ubai ai
hate ni hito wa koroshi au
namida nado tou ni karete

kitsuite

sono me wa tagai wo mitomeru tame
sono koe wa omoi wo tsutaeru tame
sono te wa daiji na hito to tsunagu tame ni aru

kono uta ga kikoeteru
sekai jyuu no yorube naki mono yo
kibou wa anata no mune no naka ni aru
moesakaru honoo no naka de mo
kesshite kizutsuku koto no nai tsuyosa wo
kureru kara

sono te de mamorou to shita mono wa
aisuru mono datta no darou ka
akaku somatta sono te wo nagamete
yatto mizukara ga shitekita orokasa wo
ayamachi to mitomeru sono tsumi wo
tomedonaku afureru sono namida wo shiru

kono uta ga kikoeteru
inochi aru subete no mono yo
shinjitsu wa anata no mune no naka ni aru
arashi no umi wa shizumatta
ushinatta mono wa kazoe kirenakutomo

kono uta ga kikoeteru
sekai jyuu no yorube naki mono yo
kibou wa anata no mune no naka ni aru
kanashimi no yoru wo koeru toki
kanarazu anata wa ikiteiku tsuyosa wo
motteru kara
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The world is announcing it's end
No one can stop it anymore
It begins
The symphony of decay is resounding
The falling rain resembles the timbre of tears

Tell me

The dominant and the dominated
When did hatred start to grow in those hearts
Are you going to fight without remembering how to love?

All living things
that can hear this song
The truth is within all of you
Even when you head towards a stormy sea
It will give you strength to be fearless

However the further you go, the stronger the wind becomes
The light we call "hope" will eventually be put out
"Give me that light" and people start snatching
In the end even blood was shed
The tears have long dried

Realize

That those eyes are for us to acknowledge each other
That our voices are for us to convey our thoughts
That our hands exist for us to hold on to those dear to us

The ones listening to this song
with nowhere to go and nobody to turn to
There is hope in all of you
Even when you are in a raging fire
It will give you a strength to protect you from hurt

What you tried to protect with those hands
Were they really the ones you love?
Looking at your hands stained red
You finally realize it was the mistake caused by your own foolishness
This crime made you cry uncontrollably

All living things
that can hear this song
The truth is within all of you
Even though you lost countless things
The stormy sea is now tranquil

The ones listening to this song
with nowhere to go and nobody to turn to
There is hope in all of you
If you managed to endure that night of sadness
Then you definitely possess the strength to keep on living