The GazettE - Ibitsu 歪

University life is so busy. I finally got a chance to listen to The GazettE's newest album DIVISION. This song ibitsu is one of the two cover songs with their own music videos.

Ibitsu can be translated as distorted, irregular or even warped. Sounds like what The GazettE will write about. I find the lyrics to this song to be extremely descriptive and it really fleshes out its own world as you listen to it. This is the "world-view" of the song that The GazettE so often talks about.

Sometimes when you sit down and start thinking about yourself. Your contradictions and maybe even how the world has degenerated over time. Of course, you shouldn't be so pessimistic all the time but when you do decide to think about such things, ibitsu is a good song to listen to.

Small translator note: both imagination and creation are read as "souzou" in Japanese. 

歪みよこのまま何処へ
Do you take me away?

無意味に刻む時に目を閉じ
空回る本能を見た
欲しがる五感が蜜を啜り
苦も楽も抜け殻のようで

鮮やか過ぎた理想に崩れて瓦礫の海へ

そこに転がる自分に気付く
欲に溺れ戻れない
見上げれば満ち過ぎていた時
この空は濁り果てていた

瓦礫に咲いた花も枯れてしまうね

この目を離せばいつか消えて行く
歪んでゆく景色が俺を笑うよ

まだ見ぬ未来　そこに在るのは　「創造」　の成れの果てか？

衰退したまま　何も出来ずに
奇形な現実を泳ぐ
流れに任せ右に倣えば
濁る空も澄んで見えるか？

鮮やか過ぎた理想に崩れて瓦礫の海へ

目の前に映る触れられぬ思い
いつの間にか心は矛盾で濡れていた

この目を離せばいつか消えて行く
僅かなその　「想像」　もやがて無に落ちる
時が満ちてゆく
ただ　歪んだまま。。。

まだ見ぬ未来　そこに在るのは　「創造」　の成れの果てか？

それとも俺の矛盾か？
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

yugami yo kono mama doko e
Do you take me away?

muimi ni kizamu toki ni me wo toji
karamawaru honnou wo mita
hoshigaru gokan ga mitsu wo susuri
ku mo raku mo nukegara no you de

azayaka sugita risou ni kuzurete gareki no umi e

soko ni korogaru jibun ni kiduku
yoku ni obore modorenai
miagereba michisugiteita toki
kono sora wa nigori hateteita

gareki ni saita hana mo karete shimau ne

kono me wo hanaseba itsu ka kieteyuku
yugandeyuku keshiki ga ore wo warau yo

mada minu mirai soko ni aru no wa "souzou" no nare no hate ka?

suitai shita mama nani mo dekizu ni
kikei na genjitsu wo oyogu
nagare ni makase migi ni naraeba
nigoru sora mo sunde mieru ka?

azayaka sugita risou ni kuzurete gareki no umi e

me no mae ni utsuru furerarenu omoi
itsu no ma ni ka kokoro wa mujyun ni nureteita

kono me wo hanaseba itsu ka kieteyuku
wazuka na sono "souzou" mo yagate mu ni ochiru
toki ga michiteyuku
tada yuganda mama...

mada minu mirai soko ni aru no wa "souzou" no nare no hate ka?

sore tomo ore no mujyun ka?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Where does the distortion continue?
Do you take me away?

I close my eyes to the meaningless engraving of time
Staring at my fruitless primal instincts
The five senses I yearned for are sipping honey
treating pain and pleasure like discarded husks

Led by an overly-vibrant ideal, I crumbled into a sea of rubble

Realizing that I was the one tumbling over
drowning in desire I cannot return
Looking up I remembered the time when I was fulfilled
the skies became cloudy and impure

Even a flower that bloomed in rubble will one day wither

If I take my eyes off, it will one day disappear
The distorting scenery is laughing at me

A future still unseen, what is over there is just the mere shadow of what was "creation"?

I am unable to do anything as I stay degenerated
Swimming in this deformed reality
Going with the flow and imitating others
Do you see the impure skies clearing?

Led by an overly-vibrant ideal, I crumbled into a sea of rubble

This thought reflected in my eyes is untouchable
Without realizing it, my heart was already drenched by contradictions

If I take my eyes off, it will one day disappear
Even this mere fragment of "imagination" remaining will eventually fall into nothingness
Time is running out
as everything stays distorted...

A future still unseen, what is over there is just the mere shadow of what was "creation"?

Or are they the contradictions in me?

飛蘭 Faylan - Kimi to ita hibi 君といた日々

While watching today's episode of Gundam Age, a new insert song played. It was Faylan's voice and the song sounded really familiar and then it hit me. It was a song included in the White Justice single and the lyrics were specifically written for Lu and Kio.
Kimi to ita hibi, the days we spent together. After watching the episode, my head was screaming "LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!"
Even though we just met, you brought color into my life. Even if I cannot see you again, thank you for teaching me the happiness of living.
My respect for Faylan has once again increased. She writes the lyrics for all her songs and the lyrics for White Jusitce and Kimi to ita hibi were just so spot-on. Not to mention that she has a really awesome voice too. Thank you for enriching my Gundam Age experience.

長いこの道のように　今が続いたらいいな
丘の上で見た景色は　凄惨の日を語っていた
それでも君がいたから　世界は彩られていく
さよならが　そこに待っていても
温かい優しさを抱いて・・・

君がもう哀しい想いをしないように
思いきり笑ってみせたんだ
もっと上手に出来たはずなのに
涙は正直だね・・・
生きる喜びを知って「幸せ・・・」と呟いてみた

他愛ない言葉さえも　’美しい’　響きとなり
奏でる夢限られても　一歩ずつでいい　進んでいこう
命の灯が消える時　宇宙にキセキ降らせるよ
泣かないで　二度と逢えなくても
愛した証は変わらない

いつの日か記憶の中で　少しずつ
薄れていかないように
何度も笑い　笑ってくれた
君に綴る　未来日記
色褪せない刻を歩んで
輝ける明日を生きてほしい

「また来るからね」たとえ次はなくとも
嬉しかったよ　忘れないよ・・・
君と出逢い　希望の意味を知った
愛しい痛みまでも
そう全て教えてくれた
「ありがとう・・・」幸せでした

ありがとう　君といた日々
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

nagai kono michi no youni ima ga tsuzuitara ii na
oka no ue de mita keshiki wa seisan no hi wo katatteita
sore demo kimi ga ita kara sekai wa irodo rarete iku
sayonara ga soko ni matte itemo
atatakai yasashisa wo idaite...

kimi ga mou kanashii omoi wo shinai youni
omoi kiri waratte misetanda
motto jyouzu ni dekita hazu nanoni
namida wa shojiki dane...
ikiru yorokobi wo shitte [shiawase...] to tsubuyaite mita

tawai nai kotoba saemo "utsukushii" hibiki to nari
kanaderu yume kagi raretemo ippo zutsu de ii susunde ikou
inochi no hi ga kieru toki sora ni kiseki furaseru yo
nakanaide nido to aenakutemo
aishita akashi wa kawaranai

itsu no hi ka kioku no naka de sukoshi zutsu
usurete ikanai youni
nando mo warai waratte kureta
kimi ni tsuzuru mirai nikki
iro asenai toki wo ayunde
kagayakeru asu wo ikite hoshii

[mata kuru kara ne] tatoe tsugi wa nakutomo
ureshikatta yo wasurenai yo...
kimi to deai kibou no imi wo shitta
itoshii itami made mo
sou subete oshiete kureta
[arigatou...] shiawase deshita

arigatou kimi to ita hibi
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It will be great if we can stay like this for as long as this path goes on
The scenery we saw at the top of that hill tells of the sadness to come
Even so, my world started to regain its color because you were there
Even if "Goodbye" is waiting for us
For now, let me just embrace your warm kindness

I put on my very best smile
so that you will not have to experience sadness again
I really wanted it to be better but
these overflowing tears are honest
Finally knowing the joy of living, I whispered that I was happy

Even childish words became beautiful echoes
I know that my dream is short-lived but one step at a time, let me go on with it
When the flame of a life is extinguished, a miracle falls from the skies
Don't cry even if we won't meet again
because the proof that I loved you will never change

May the memories
never fade away
You kept smiling, laughing for me
in this future diary I composed for you

Walking in times that will never fade in color
I want you to live in tomorrow, sparkling

"I will come again" Even if there is no next time
I was really happy and I will never forget...
I learnt the meaning of "Hope" by meeting you
Everything was so lovely, even the pain I felt
You taught me all of these
"Thank You" I was really happy

Thank You for the days we spent together

AKINO with bless4 - Eve no danpen イヴの断片

Fragments of Eve. This is one of the final insert songs for Aquarion Evol. Performed by AKINO with bless4, this vocal and dance unit has been providing the theme songs for the Aquarion series. Composed by Kanno Yoko of Macross and Ghost in the Shell fame, you can expect a high level masterpiece tailored to the anime and the performing artiste.
Aquarion can be summed up with one word and that is "Love". It is about love transcending time and space, about love overcoming the material and mental planes. It is about undying love as the characters get reincarnated every 12,000 years and yet still fall in love with the same partner. All that with a dash of superhuman powers and giant combining robots and you get Aquarion.
For Aquarion Evol, it felt pretty boring at the start but it started to pick up near the end when many truths about the story surfaced much like the first series. It isn't a must to watch the first series but it is advisable to at least read the legend of Aquarion from the wikipedia page.
Fragments of Eve illustrates the complex emotions felt between the hero and heroine.

君の穢れたイヴの断片を
僕のアダムが千年求める

言葉は試みに意味を捧げて
生まれおちる絶望を奇跡と呼んだ
開いた両腕が　翼になることはない
舞い上がる情熱が　空に届くことはない

谷間にうずく秘密に牙を立て
火傷する暗がりに
明かりを招かなければ


君の穢れたイヴの断片を
僕のアダムが千年求める
見つけて欲しい　見ないで欲しい
守って欲しいと泣き止まない
僕が必要なんだね　ツミビト

全てを知って次に生まれても
胸の高鳴りを前にひざまづこう
しびれる奔放を　愛と呼んでもいいか
不実な残響を
涙を愛していいか

リンゴをかじる
神話をそっと齧る
埋めたい空白に
光をかざさなければ

君の穢れたイヴの断片を
僕のアダムが取り乱すから
抱きしめたい　離れたくない
放さないでとささやいて
僕と躓けばいい　コイビト

図々しさも　聞きわけなさも
解き放てば音楽
神話の端にしがみついて
禁じられた口づけ交わそう

君の謎めくイヴの断片に
僕のアダムがざわめき止まない
抱きしめたい　離れたくない
放さないでとささやいて
僕と躓けばいい
見つけて欲しい　見ないで欲しい
守って欲しいと泣き止まない
僕が必要なんだね　ツミビト
僕に崩れればいい　可愛い人
僕が必要なんだね　ツミビト

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

kimi no kegareta ivu no danpen ni
boku no adamu ga sennen motomeru

kotoba wa kokoromi ni kotoba wo sasage
umareochiru zetsubou wo kiseki to yonda
hiraita ryou ude ga tsubasa ni naru koto wa nai
mai agaru jyounetsu ga sora ni todoku koto wa nai

tanima ni uzuku himitsu ni kiba wo tate
yakedo suru kuragari ni
akari wo maneka nakereba

kimi no kegareta ivu no danpen ni
boku no adamu ga sennen motomeru
mitsukete hoshii minaide hoshii
mamotte hoshii to naki yamanai
boku ga hitsuyou nandane tsumibito

subete wo shitte tsugi ni umaretemo
mune no takanari wo mae ni hizamazukou
shibireru honpou wo ai to yondemo ii ka
fujitsu na zankyou wo
namida wo aishite ii ka

ringo wo kajiru
shinwa wo sotto kajiru
umetai kuuhaku ni
hikari wo kazasa nakereba

kimi no kegareta ivu no danpen wo
boku no adamu ga torimidasu kara
dakishimetai hanaretakunai
hanasanaide to sasayaite
boku to tsumazukeba ii koibito

zuu zuu shisa mo kikiwake nasa mo
tokihanateba ongaku
shinwa no hashi ni shigami tsuite
kinjirareta kuchizuke kawasou

kimi no nazomeku ivu no danpen ni
boku no adamu ga zawameki yamanai
dakishimetai hanaretakunai
hanasanaide to sasayaite
boku to tsumazukeba ii
mitsukete hoshii minaide hoshii
mamotte hoshii to naki yamanai
boku ga hitsuyou nandane tsumibito
boku ni kuzurereba ii kawaii hito
boku ga hitsuyou nandane tsumibito
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a thousand years, my Adam yearned for
your tainted fragments of Eve

Words tried to offer meaning
and named the despair of being born a miracle
Your outstretched arms will never become wings
Your soaring passion will never reach the skies

I secretly bore my fangs to the throbbing in the valley
We must invite light
into this burnt darkness

For a thousand years, my Adam yearned for
your tainted fragments of Eve
"Please find me, don't look at me
Please protect me" as my tears overflow
You need me right? Sinner

Even if we reincarnated with our past memories
We will still kneel before the violent throbbing of our hearts
This uninhibited numbness, can I call it love?
These insincere echoes
Can i love these tears?

Gnawing an apple
Slowing eroding a Legend
This void that I want to fill
I need to block out the light

My Adam will scatter
your tainted fragments of Eve
Embrace me, don't leave me
Whisper to me that you will never let me go
It is fine to stumble with me, my lover

Your impudence, your lack of understanding
if I just let them go then it will become music to my ears
Let's exchange a forbidden kiss
as we cling onto the edge of this Legend

Your tainted fragments of Eve
are stirring up the Adam in me
Embrace me, don't leave me
Whisper to me that you will never let me go
It is fine to stumble with me
"Please find me, don't look at me
Please protect me" as my tears overflow
You need me right? Sinner
You can crumble into me, my darling
You need me right? Sinner

JP - Boku ni Invitation ボクにインビテーション

The day has come. I never thought this song would make it into its own single but rather as part of the anime's original soundtrack. Boku ni Invitation by JP is the opening song to the anime Polar Bear's Cafe or Shirokuma Cafe.

Well, first let's start off with the anime. Polar Bear's Cafe is probably the most entertaining anime I have watched all season. I would categorize it under comedy with a tinge of slice of life. The animals in this anime walk and talk and basically just blend into the human society while retaining their animal appearances. However, it is so absurd at the beginning when you see a polar bear and a panda walking around town that you can't help but burst out laughing. The humor in this series is akin to Daily Lives of High School Boys (another comedy anime from last season). The jokes come out of nowhere and slap you in the face (metaphorically, of course) leaving you laughing like an idiot.

On to the song itself. Boku ni Invitation is a song written specifically for Polar Bear's Cafe. The lyrics depict a journey to find the Polar Bear's Cafe and how it soothes the customers from the stress of everyday life. The singer JP was born in Hawaii, explaining the Mahalo (Hawaiian for "thank you") so frequently repeated in the song. The bamboo for diet bit is a reference to what Panda always orders at the cafe. JP is a singer, songwriter, producer and model. He has provided backup vocals for singers such as American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and Grammy Award winner Michael W Smith. He has also produced songs for artistes such as DBSK and MISIA.

このカフェにたどり着いた　ラッキーボーイズアンドガールズ
とびきりのメニューでおもてなし　オージャストフォーユー
ぜひぜひ　おこしくださいね
お会いできる日を　マ・マ・マハロ

結局　南極　北極　でもなくテルミー
世界のどこかにきっと　ある
話題のカフェがどこなのかをリサーチ

今日もＢＢＳネットをひらい　ティータイム
モア　モア　モア　うわさが飛び交う　だけ
ライアー ライアー ライアーだけじゃギブアップ！
お手上げ！

そんな時　ポストに白いレター
中にはヒミツの　彼のレシピ

（＊）キターーー（　ﾟ∀ﾟ）ーーー！！！！！　ボクにインビテーション
世界が期待　カンバせーション

このカフェにたどり着いた　ラッキーボーイズアンドガールズ
とびきりのメニューでおもてなし　オージャストフォーユー
ぜひぜひ　日頃の疲れを
いやし笑顔だけ マ・マ・マハロ（＊）

飲もう　モカ　ラテ　オレ　チャイ
さらに　アイスに　パンケーキ
飲もう　ストロベリー　マンゴー　シェイク
たまに　笹だけ　ダイエット
マ・マ・マ・マ・マハロ

やっぱり　ロンドン おフランスでボンジュール
世界を寄り道しまグッデイ
青い空の下寝転んで

スマホ　ＧＰＳマップをひらい　テイクオフ
OＭＧ　バッテリー切れてんじゃん
ノー　ノー　ノー　これじゃキープオン
お手上げ

そんな時　ポケットの白いレター
よく見て　アドレス発見！　いざカマクラ

キターーー（　ﾟ∀ﾟ）ーーー！！！！！　ボクにナビゲーション
世界が期待　モチベーション

（＊＊）このカフェの常連になった ラッキーボーイズアンドガールズ
特別裏メニューを教えましょ　サプライズフォーユー
是が非でも　試したらDO？
ただし　クリーム　お断りします！
飲もう　モカ　ラテ　オレ　チャイ
さらに　アイスに　パンケーキ
飲もう　ストロベリー　マンゴー　シェイク
たまに　笹だけ　ダイエット
マハロ （＊＊）
 
（＊）繰り返し
（＊＊）繰り返し

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

kono cafe ni tadoritsuita lucky boys and girls
tobikiri no menu de omotenashi oh just for you
zehi zehi okoshikudasai ne
oaidekiru hi wo ma ma maharo

kekkyoku nankyoku hokkyoku demo naku tell me
sekai no dokoka ni kitto aru
wadai no cafe ga doko nanoka wo research

kyou mo BBS net wo hirai tea-time
more more more uwasa ga tobikau dake
liar liar liar dake jya give up!
oteage!

sonna toki posuto ni shiroi letter
naka ni wa himitsu no kare no recipe

(*)kita ーーー（　ﾟ∀ﾟ）ーーー!!!!! boku ni invitation
sekai ga kitai conversation
kono cafe ni tadoritsuita lucky boys and girls
tobikiri no menu de omotenashi oh just for you
zehi zehi higoro no tsukare wo
iyashi egao dake ma ma maharo(*)

nomou mocha latte ole chai
sara ni ice ni pancake
nomou strawberry mango shake
tamani sasa dake diet
ma ma ma ma maharo

yappari london o france de bonjour
sekai wo yorimichi shima good day
aoi sora no shita ne koronde

sumaho GPS map wo hirai take-off
O M G battery kireten jyan
no no no kore jya keep on
oteage

sonna toki posuto no shiroi letter
yoku mite address hakken! iza kamakura

kita ーーー（　ﾟ∀ﾟ）ーーー!!!!! boku ni navigation
sekai ga kitai motivation

(**)kono cafe no jyouren ni natta lucky boys and girls
tokubetsu ura menu wo oshiemasho surprise for you
ze ga hi demo tameshitara DOU?
tadashi cream okotowarishimasu!
nomou mocha latte ole chai
sara ni ice ni pancake
nomou strawberry mango shake
tamani sasa dake diet
maharo(**)

(*)repeat
(**)repeat
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lucky boys and girls who have made it to this cafe
Be spoilt by our superior menu and warm reception oh just for you
By all means make your way to our cafe
I look forward to the day we meet. Mahalo

In the end, it wasn't the north or south pole, tell me
this cafe is somewhere in this world
I'm going to research on this cafe that everyone is talking about

I shall continue to check the BBS net during tea-time
More more more those are all rumors
Liar liar liar if that's it then I give up
Looks like there is nothing I can do

At that time, a white letter arrived in the post
It contained his secret recipe

(*)It's here ーーー（　ﾟ∀ﾟ）ーーー!!!!! An invitation for me
The conversation that the world has been waiting for
Lucky boys and girls who have made it to this cafe
Be spoilt by our superior menu and warm reception oh just for you
By all means soothe the tiredness you have racked up
with our warm smiles. Mahalo(*)

Let's drink mocha latte ole tea
and add pancakes with ice-cream to that
Let's drink strawberry and mango shakes
and once in a while diet with just bamboo
Mahalo

As I thought, you got to say "Bonjour"  in London and France
Let's take a trip around the world "Good Day!"
and lie down under the blue sky

Checking the GPS map on my smartphone, take-off
Oh My God, the battery is dead
No no no I need to keep going with this
but looks like there is no way out

At that time, I took out the white letter from my pocket
Taking a closer look, I found an address! The time to act is now!

It's hereーーー（　ﾟ∀ﾟ）ーーー!!!!! Time for some navigation
Motivation that the world has been waiting for

(**)Lucky boys and girls who became regular customers
Let me tell you about the secret menu. Surprise for you!
There is no right or wrong, why don't you just try it?
However, I will have to say "no" to the cream
Let's drink mocha latte ole tea
and add pancakes with ice-cream to that
Let's drink strawberry and mango shakes
and once in a while diet with just bamboo
Mahalo(**)

(*)Repeat
(**)Repeat

ナイトメア Nightmare - the WORLD

Well you must be wondering why did I dig up this old song. Recently, a new anime song cover album contributed by various visual-kei bands titled Counteraction was released. In it, there was a cover of this song, the WORLD, by GUILD. Listening to this song again reminded me of how awesome it was and how apt the lyrics were for the anime Death Note but this time with a new flavor as it was played by a different band.
This song was originally written and performed by the visual-kei band Nightmare and was used as the opening song to the anime Death Note a couple of years back. Death Note being a highly-acclaimed manga was also a very popular anime and using this as a platform, Nightmare's music was exposed to a great deal of people. As such, they became more known and gained tons of fans.
For those who do not know Death Note (the minority I suspect), it is about a notebook capable of killing people by just having the target's real name written in it. A genius teenager got his hands onto this notebook and with this gained the power to change the world by being able to kill off the "right" people. With so many mysterious and coincidental deaths, an internationally-acclaimed detective was hired to find out what is really happening. The series focuses on the clashes between these two great minds and explores what is right and what is wrong.

広がる闇の中　交し合った　革命の契り
愛した故に芽生えた悪の花
これから先訪れるであろう全てを
誰にも邪魔させるワケにはいかないから

果実が告げた未来
理性を忘れた街
黒く歪んだ現在を
夢、理想に変える

どうして？僕は壊れた救世主？
誰もが望んだ「終幕」を・・・

広がる闇の中　交し合った　革命の契り
愛した故に芽生えた悪の花
これから先訪れるであろう全てを
誰にも邪魔させるワケにはいかない

いつか僕が見せてあげる
光輝く空を

どうして？僕は壊れた救世主？
誰もが夢みた「楽園」を・・・

広がる闇の中　交し合った　革命の契り
愛した故に芽生えた悪の花
これから先訪れるであろう全てを
誰にも邪魔させるワケにはいかない

いつか僕が見せてあげる
光輝く世界を
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hirogaru yami no naka kawashi atta kakumei no chigiri
aishita yue ni mebaeta aku no hana
korekara saki otozureru de arou subete wo
dare ni mo jyama saseru wake ni wa ikanai kara

kajitsu ga tsugeta mirai
risei wo wasureta machi
kuroku yuganda ima wo
yume, risou ni kaeru

doushite? boku wa kowareta me-shi-a?
dare mo ga nozonda [owari] wo...

hirogaru yami no naka kawashi atta kakumei no chigiri
aishita yue ni mebaeta aku no hana
korekara saki otozureru de arou subete wo
dare ni mo jyama saseru wake ni wa ikanai

itsuka boku ga misete ageru
hikari kagayaku sora wo

doushite? boku wa kowareta me-shi-a?
dare mo ga yumemita [rakuen] wo...

hirogaru yami no naka kawashi atta kakumei no chigiri
aishita yue ni mebaeta aku no hana
korekara saki otozureru de arou subete wo
dare ni mo jyama saseru wake ni wa ikanai

itsuka boku ga misete ageru
hikari kagayaku sekai wo

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the expanding darkness, we exchanged vows of revolution
An evil flower sprouted from our love
Whatever may come
I cannot afford to let anyone get in my way

The future foretold by the forbidden fruit
A city that has forgotten all reason
In the present distorted by darkness
I change dreams into ideals

Why am I the broken Messiah?
The [end] that everyone wished for

In the expanding darkness, we exchanged vows of revolution
An evil flower sprouted from our love
Whatever may come
I cannot afford to let anyone get in my way

Someday, I will show it to you
A radiant sky

Why am I the broken Messiah?
The [paradise] that everyone dreamt of

In the expanding darkness, we exchanged vows of revolution
An evil flower sprouted from our love
Whatever may come
I cannot afford to let anyone get in my way


Someday, I will show it to you
A radiant world

ステレオポニー Stereopony - stand by me

Stand by me is the ending song of Eureka Seven AO.
It is written and performed by Stereopony, a 3 member all-girl rock band. They have been contributing songs to animes like Gundam 00, Darker than Black etc.
I have been following Stereopony since I heard their song Namida no Mukou from Gundam 00. They tend to write really catchy songs that are easy to sing along. As such, they have many collaborations with animes, dramas and even television advertisements.
Stereopony's lyrics tend to be simple and straight to the point so their songs are a good resource to pick up Japanese.
Stand by me talks about how even though separated physically, people are still connected.

高鳴る心臓の声は
いつしか心地良く馴染んでいて

風が強く吹いていても
目をつむらないで　いつだって前を向くよ

泣きたくなったら　思い出して
黙って誓い合った約束を

旅立つひな鳥の唄
今もまだ上手く飛べないけれど
巡り巡る時を越え　ひたすらに
繋いだ手をたどってく

重なる感情の波を
紡いで　きつく結びつけた

気付かぬまま向けられてた
やさしい眼差しが　今だって胸を突くよ

かばい合ったから　見失った
自分だけが知り得る目的地

旅立つひな鳥たちは
群れることなく　それぞれの場所へ
孤独の意味を知ったら　なおさらに
繋がれると信じてる

隣にいてよ
君の温もりが
伝わるよ　今

旅立つひな鳥の唄
今もまだ上手く飛べないけれど
巡り巡る時を越え　ひたすらに
繋いだ手をたどって

So I never let you go!!言葉は
空に消えてくばかりだとしても
散らばる光の中で　迷わずに
君を探し出せるから
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
takanaru shinzou no koe wa
itsushika kokochi yoku najinde ite

kaze ga tsuyoku fuiteitemo
me wo tsumuranaide itsu datte mae wo muku yo

nakitakunattara omoidashite
damatte chikai atta yakusoku wo

tabidatsu hinadori no uta
ima mo mada umaku tobenai keredo
meguri meguru toki wo koe hitasura ni
tsunaida te wo tadotteku

kasanaru kanjyou no nami wo
tsumuide kitsuku musubi tsuketa

kizukanu mama mukerareteta
yasashii manazashi ga ima datte mune wo tsuku yo

kabai atta kara miushinatta
jibun dake ga shirieru mokutekichi

tabidatsu hinadori tachi wa
mureru koto naku sorezore no basho e
kodoku no imi wo shittara naosara ni
tsunagareru to shinjiteru

tonari ni ite yo
kimi no nukumori ga
tsutawaru yo ima

tabidatsu hinadori no uta
ima mo mada umaku tobenai keredo
meguri meguru toki wo koe hitasura ni
tsunaida te wo tadotte

So I never let you go!! kotoba wa
sora ni kieteku bakari datoshitemo
chirabaru hikari no naka de mayowazu ni
kimi wo sagashidaseru kara
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sound of my heart throbbing
Unaware, I became familiar with this pleasant feeling

Even when the wind is strong
Don't close your eyes and keep facing forward

When you feel like crying
Remember the promise we silently swore to

The song of baby birds beginning their journeys
Even though they still cannot fly properly yet
Overcome these cyclic times and earnestly
follow the hand you held

The waves of overlapping emotions
are being spun and tied in a tight knot

Before I noticed, I was facing this direction
That tender look of yours still pierces my heart even now

I lost sight of where I wanted to go
because we covered each other

The baby birds beginning their journeys
Each flying towards their individual goal
Knowing loneliness, there is all the more reason
to believe they are connected

Stand by me
I can feel your warmth
even now

The song of baby birds beginning their journeys
Even though they still cannot fly properly yet
Overcome these cyclic times and earnestly
follow the hand you held

So I never let you go!! even if these words
keep dissipating into the skies
I will find you
in this scattered light

Hemenway - Escape

This time, it's the opening song for Eureka Seven AO. I didn't watch the original Eureka Seven (and am too lazy to start it) so there are a lot of unfamiliar terms in AO. The animation is top-notch though and hey I'm a mecha person so the IFOs in the series really attract me. The plot seems to be picking up speed with the appearance of Truth who is supposed to be an alien as I understand from comments I read.
Pardon my little knowledge of the series and let's move on to the song. This song is written and performed by Hemenway, a 4-man band. All 4 of them studied in the same music college in Boston and Hemenway is the name of a street there where they shared many memories. The interesting thing is that 2 of them are Korean-Americans with great interest in Japanese culture. As such, the band can freely write between 3 languages.
The song is based around the feeling of escaping. Not really running away but more like the feeling of soaring into the skies and away from worry. Personally, I really like the guitar in this song and there is even a Lightning Guitar Version of Escape in the single where the guitar take over the vocals part.

Escape
この風に、涙を乗せ
涸（か）れるまでスピードあげて
飛び越えて行ける
きっと答えは
遥かなあの空の向こう

答えが見つからないここでは
ため息をついて空を見る
青く染められた瞳の奥で
輝いてるのは
どこでも行ける、夢を見てる
自分なのさ

Escape
この風に、心乗せて
今すぐ君に届け
言葉尽きるまで
歌うことが
僕でいられる証だから

心が涸（か）れてしまうほどに
涙を流した夜もある
一人で背負うべき夢がいつも重すぎて
諦めたい時は
何を、歌えばいい？

Escape
Escape
ほら、輝く空へ
両手を伸ばして

そう、もう泣かないよ
きっと答えは自分だからさ

Escape
この風に、願いを乗せて
伸ばした手は未来（あす）を描く
もう怖くなどない
涙の跡
虹色に染まって飛んでゆく
あの空の向こう
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Escape
kono kaze, namida wo nose
kareru made supi-do agete
tobi koete yukeru
kitto kotae wa
harukana ano sora no mukou

kotae ga mitsukaranai koko de wa
tameiki wo tsuite sora wo miru
aoku somerareta hitomi no oku de
kagayaiteru no wa
doko mademo yukeru, yume wo miteru
jibun nanosa

Escape
kono kaze ni, kokoro nosete
ima sugu kimi ni todoke
kotoba tsukiru made
utau koto ga
boku de irareru akashi dakara

kokoro ga kareteshimau hodo ni
namida wo nagashita yoru mo aru
hitori de seou beki yume ga itsumo omosugite
akirametai toki wa
nani wo, utaeba ii?

Escape
Escape
hora, kagayaku sora e
ryoute wo nobashite

sou, mou nakanai yo
kitto kotae wa jibun dakara sa

Escape
kono kaze ni, negai wo nosete
nobashita te wa asu wo egaku
mou kowaku nado nai
namida no ato
nijiiro ni somatte tondeyuku
ano sora no mukou
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Escape
Let your tears ride on the wind
Keep accelerating until you run out of energy
We can overcome everything
The answer is definitely
in the far horizon

In this place where I cannot find the answer
I sighed and looked up at the sky
What is sparkling
in those ocean blue eyes
Following their dreams to the ends of the Earth
It's us

Escape
Let your heart ride on the wind
I will reach you this instant
Until i run out of words
because singing is proof
that I can stay myself

The more your heart dries up
the more nights spent crying
It will always be too heavy for one person to shoulder his dream
When I feel like giving up
What should I sing?

Escape
Escape
Let's head towards the shining sky
with our hands outstretched

That's right, there is no need to cry anymore
because the answer is us

Escape
Let your wishes ride on the wind
Our outstretched hands will paint our futures
There is no need to be afraid anymore
Our shed tears
will dye us in the colors of the rainbow
as we fly into the far horizon

飛蘭 Faylan - WHITE justice

Just came back from a short vacation and realized that a lot of songs were released while I was gone -_-.
Oh well, the song this time is the ending song for Gundam Age-3. I have seen Faylan's songs here and there while browsing sites but this is the first time I actually listened to one of them. I must say, I am pretty addicted to this song. I sing along every Sunday when Gundam Age airs.
Wanting to know more about Faylan, I went to her official blog and I must say, that is one gorgeous lady. Not only does she sing but she writes her own lyrics as well. According to her blog entry, the WHITE from the song's title refers to the color of the Gundam. From my understanding of the lyrics, WHITE justice depicts the feelings of the warriors involved in a war.
If you think you have heard the whole song with just the TV size ending, you are quite mistaken. The full version packs a few twists and turns and there is even a ballad version that comes with the single.
With regards to the anime, Kio just went through the grow-up-after-someone-dies phase much like his father and grandfather. I am expecting really great things from him after his demonstration of his incredible X-Rounder abilities.

纏う白い希望に　命を預け
運命が交わった　震えるこの宇宙で

「愛してた・・・」と　最後に言葉を残し
微笑んだ幻が　受け継いでく正義

強く優しい瞳に　映った赤い火は
いつか涙で　散らすよ
もう逃げたりしない　僕等は誓った

哀しき時代を生きてく　果敢な勇士
選んだ道を信じたら　突き進めばいい
奪うだけじゃ救えない　命に気づいたら
過去の涙が　現実を導きだす
全ては守るべき明日へと

微睡む意識の中　笑顔を翳し
触れていた感覚が　ふいに甦るよ

掌の記憶から　光を放ち
正解はないけれど　確かに抱く夢

‘‘帰る場所は此処にある”　聞こえたその声に
奇跡集めて飛び立つ
だから戦うよ　栄光掴むまで

儚き瞬間を見つめた　気丈な勇士
躊躇うよりも　後悔で泣かないように
信じてるよ　宿った魂の絆が
熱い鼓動を　目覚めさせてくだろう
新たな革命の未来へ

誰もが一人では　歩むことは無理だろう
恐れなくていい
足掻き喚き　苦しんだ跡の傷には
痛みよりも　共に真の喜びを知るよ

（欺かないで生きてく）
高き野望で
（抗わないで見つめた）
怯まない意思を刻む　

哀しき時代を生きてく　果敢な勇士
選んだ道を信じたら　突き進めばいい
奪うだけじゃ救えない　命に気づいたら
過去の涙が　現実を導きだす
新たな革命の先には
全ての守るべき明日へと
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
matou shiroi kibou ni inochi wo azuke
unmei ga majiwatta furueru kono sora de

[aishiteta...]to saigo ni kotoba wo nokoshi
hohoenda maboroshi ga uke tsuideku seigi

tsuyoku yasashii hitomi ni utsutta akai hi wa
itsuka namida de chirasu yo
mou nigetari shinai bokura wa chikatta

kanashiki toki wo ikiteku kakan na yuushi
eranda michi wo shinjitara tsuki susumeba ii
ubau dake jya sukuenai inochi ni kizuitara
kako no namida ga ima wo michibikidasu
subete wa mamoru beki asu e to

madoromu ishiki no naka egao wo kazashi
fureteita kankaku ga fuini yomigaeru yo

tenohira no kioku kara hikari wo hanachi
seikai wa nai keredo tashikani idaku yume
"kaeru basho wa koko ni aru" kikoeta sono koe ni
kiseki atsumete tobitasu
dakara tatakauyo eikou tsukamu made

hakanaki toki wo mitsumeta kijyou na yuushi
tamerau yori mo koukai de nakanai youni
shinjiteru yo yadotta tamashii no kizuna ga
atsui kodou wo mezame saseteku darou
aratana kakumei no mirai e

dare mo ga hitori de wa  ayumu koto wa muri darou
osorenakute ii
agaki wameki  kurushinda ato no kizu ni wa
itami yori mo tomo ni shin no yorokobi wo shiru yo

(azamuka naide ikiteku)
takaki yabou de
(aragawa naide mitsumeta)
hirumanai ishi wo kizamu

kanashiki toki wo ikiteku kakan na yuushi
eranda michi wo shinjitara tsuki susumeba ii
ubau dake jya sukuenai inochi ni kizuitara
kako no namida ga ima wo michibikidasu
aratana kakumei no saki ni wa
subete no mamoru beki asu e to
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 I entrust my life to the white hope I clad myself in
The intersecting destinies shake the skies

"I loved..." were your last words
As a vision of you smile, I inherit your justice

The raging flame reflected in those strong yet tender eyes
will one day be scattered by tears
We swore that we will no longer run away

Determined warrior who lived through sorrowful times
Once you believe in the path you have chosen, just charge through everything
Realize that lives cannot be saved by taking others away
The tears of the past led us to the present
and everything will bring us to a future that we must protect

In my slumbering consciousness, my smiling face was covered
I awaken abruptly as I felt the touch of someone
The memory in my palm was releasing light
There is no right answer but I was definitely embracing this dream

"There is a place we can return to here" hearing this voice
I took off with miracles
That is why I will fight until I attain glory

Firm warrior gazing at a transient moment
Rather than hesitating, don't cry with regret
Believe in the bonds connecting our souls
Awaken that fiery pulse
Towards a future of revolution

No one can carry on just by himself right?
There is no need to fear
The scar left from struggling and squirming
rather than pain, it will teach you shared joy

(Live without deceiving)
Engrave your unfaltering intention
(Watch without disputing)
with your great aspirations

Determined warrior who lived through sorrowful times
Once you believe in the path you have chosen, just charge through everything
Realize that lives cannot be saved by taking others away
The tears of the past led us to the present
Ahead of a new revolution
Towards all the futures we must protect