Always the worst
Today as well, the curtain rises
Therefore, good intentions burn in my chest
It's all fine
As much as possible you pretend not to mind
Feelings of irritation growing stronger and stronger
I can't help wanting to change
But change doesn't work that way
The more desperate I grow the harder it's to move
These chains binding my heart are in plain view
"Therefore, I hate this! I hate this so much!"
"Wait, wait, please don't leave me behind"
I'm going to lose my mind!
We're not alone
We're not that unlucky
Hey, keep trying, keep trying
Because this is possible!
(say!wow!wow!)
You can grow fond of me
There's not even one thing
That can't be helped
Come on, ease up, ease up
Go at your own pace
(say!wow!wow!)
Please don't be impatient
Today, tomorrow and from here out will be good days
Laugh, cry, be happy forever
That can't be! But...
Aah, sometimes it's the greatest but
I'll forget about it!
How do I put on a smiling face
No matter where I go
There's something missing
Though I don't have the privilege of being choosy
It's different, you said but
It wasn't a successful swap
I try to move forward but even more so
The idleness is beckoning today
"Why, why, explain it properly!"
"More, more, get in sync with me!"
I'll grow lonely!
We're not alone
We're not that unlucky
Hey, keep trying, keep trying
Because this is possible
(say!wow!wow!)
You can grow fond of me
There's not even one thing
That can't be helped
Come on, ease up, ease up
Go at your own pace
(say!wow!wow!)
Please don't be impatient
Today, tomorrow and from here out will be good days
Laugh, cry, be happy forever
That can't be! But...
We're not alone
We're not that unlucky
Hey, keep trying, keep trying
Because this is possible
(say!wow!wow!)
You can grow fond of me
There's not even one thing
That can't be helped
Come on ease up, ease up
Go at your own pace
(say!wow!wow!)
Please don't be impatient
Today, tomorrow and from here out will be good days
Getting angry at this and that
Dreaming about this and that
Laugh, cry, be happy forever
That can't be! But...
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Monday, December 3, 2018
Dying Akasatana - 幽世テロルArchitect [English Translation]
Today, 幽世テロルArchitect released a music video for one of the songs from their recent mini-album. Having spent the day in a state of distress and emotional turmoil, it seemed like a great idea to dive into the hellhole of Japanese that the lyrics constitute.
Astute observers may have noticed by now that the song in the video is Identity Crisis, and that doesn't match with the title. Yeah. The hellhole was too deep (for the time being), so I decided to jump into a slightly less deep hellhole and give track four, "Dying Akasatana", a try instead.
Translation note: The ta chi tsu te to, na ni nu ne no, and similar parts refer to the Japanese "alphabet" (hiragana) and is a play on the fact that some of them put together in the succession in the song can also be read as forming words.
Without further ado, here's my attempt at a translation. Take with a grain of salt. Or possibly an entire salt shaker.
It had a touch of mystery, but the refuge was a matrix not containing the true self, wordless bars of music that grew cold
An unstoppable fever-cinema, vanishing into the deceptive funeral procession, passion without a place to go cooled close to zero
Certain, without taking a look, an inappropriate grand conclusion was reached
Dig here "woof!" A harmony to avoid failure, day and night
Transitioning to a collective sense of helplessness, delusions in deep sepia
You say it's not boring but still... Don't vanish like a traitor.
An electronic attack under a pseudonym, a blindness-inducing steam whistle. "Oh shut up already!"
From the beginning I delicately handled fruits in the shadow, a lockout of the easily wounded
Don't sleep alone hanging your head in shame
Hey look! the answer is here (that's right)
Society's common knowledge is at your feet (yeah that's right)
Don't turn to apologies, no choice but being forced out, thanks for taking care of me
You're shouting, the meaning was erased
Majority rule, right of the masses, minority on the verge of death
Dig here, you're an excellent dog! Surely there's gold buried, surely this is the best of mankind
Oh yes! live like that
Hey wait a moment! Don't finish that sentence. Don't you know the saying, everyone is different?
We can't all ride those rails, the spot of sunshine arrived too late
Ta chi tsu te to, how many, ne nu no, then, hi hu he ho, deceiving spirit, mu me mo
Even when lined up, there's no meaning! There's really no meaning
The nature of this song's message, it's already in an entirely hopeless position, you don't want to think about it
Dance with me, dance.
Offer up your heart! It's an honor, charging in isn't scary! Say farewell to the tears, one two three
The symmetry is going out of order, put your hands up!
Increasing kilotons per annum, profound mystery is appropriate, sometimes we lose sight of our selling point
What kind of masochism is it? A true-to-life kind? Relative?
A girly, dreamlike-taste suicide kind?
Nonononono? Talented age kind? Therefore it's a meaningless miracle (all right!)
Your original self, the limit-bound self, your wounds toppled you and your breath grew faint
Can't say anything, can't hear anything, can't see anything
Where do we live? Let's despair and kiss!
Where do we die? the corrupted w o r l d, no, society
A i u e o, among others, ki ku ke, things, sa shi su se so, aah, crown yourself as number one (oof
Even when lined up, there's no meaning! Please stop reading too much into it
The nature of this song's message, stop wanting to read into it, you don't want to think about it
Dance together with me, dance.
Astute observers may have noticed by now that the song in the video is Identity Crisis, and that doesn't match with the title. Yeah. The hellhole was too deep (for the time being), so I decided to jump into a slightly less deep hellhole and give track four, "Dying Akasatana", a try instead.
Translation note: The ta chi tsu te to, na ni nu ne no, and similar parts refer to the Japanese "alphabet" (hiragana) and is a play on the fact that some of them put together in the succession in the song can also be read as forming words.
Without further ado, here's my attempt at a translation. Take with a grain of salt. Or possibly an entire salt shaker.
Dying Akasatana [Eng Translation]
It had a touch of mystery, but the refuge was a matrix not containing the true self, wordless bars of music that grew cold
An unstoppable fever-cinema, vanishing into the deceptive funeral procession, passion without a place to go cooled close to zero
Certain, without taking a look, an inappropriate grand conclusion was reached
Dig here "woof!" A harmony to avoid failure, day and night
Transitioning to a collective sense of helplessness, delusions in deep sepia
You say it's not boring but still... Don't vanish like a traitor.
An electronic attack under a pseudonym, a blindness-inducing steam whistle. "Oh shut up already!"
From the beginning I delicately handled fruits in the shadow, a lockout of the easily wounded
Don't sleep alone hanging your head in shame
Hey look! the answer is here (that's right)
Society's common knowledge is at your feet (yeah that's right)
Don't turn to apologies, no choice but being forced out, thanks for taking care of me
You're shouting, the meaning was erased
Majority rule, right of the masses, minority on the verge of death
Dig here, you're an excellent dog! Surely there's gold buried, surely this is the best of mankind
Oh yes! live like that
Hey wait a moment! Don't finish that sentence. Don't you know the saying, everyone is different?
We can't all ride those rails, the spot of sunshine arrived too late
Ta chi tsu te to, how many, ne nu no, then, hi hu he ho, deceiving spirit, mu me mo
Even when lined up, there's no meaning! There's really no meaning
The nature of this song's message, it's already in an entirely hopeless position, you don't want to think about it
Dance with me, dance.
Offer up your heart! It's an honor, charging in isn't scary! Say farewell to the tears, one two three
The symmetry is going out of order, put your hands up!
Increasing kilotons per annum, profound mystery is appropriate, sometimes we lose sight of our selling point
What kind of masochism is it? A true-to-life kind? Relative?
A girly, dreamlike-taste suicide kind?
Nonononono? Talented age kind? Therefore it's a meaningless miracle (all right!)
Your original self, the limit-bound self, your wounds toppled you and your breath grew faint
Can't say anything, can't hear anything, can't see anything
Where do we live? Let's despair and kiss!
Where do we die? the corrupted w o r l d, no, society
A i u e o, among others, ki ku ke, things, sa shi su se so, aah, crown yourself as number one (oof
Even when lined up, there's no meaning! Please stop reading too much into it
The nature of this song's message, stop wanting to read into it, you don't want to think about it
Dance together with me, dance.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
YamikawaGunGunka (Yamikawa Army War Song) - Zenbukiminoseida [English Translation]
Me trying to translate the confusing complexity that is Zenkimi songs? It's more likely than you think! For those of you who don't know, Zenbu Kimi No Sei De (Everything is Your Fault) is an alt-idol group with a Yamikawaii aesthetic and some incredibly catchy songs.
To be fair, Yamikawa Gun Gunka is still easy mode as far as Zenkimi is concerned. Their later songs are a topic best saved for another time, as it's inevitable that I'll have a shot at translating some of those too sooner or later.
やみかわぐんぐんか - YamikawaGunGunka (Yamikawa Army War Song)
Fleeting expectations are always trampled underfoot
I'm an idiotic loser woman who always put on a play for your sake
If I can't feel your hand in mine, I might be better off dying. On the other hand
I can't be sensible when I think about how my wretched self will be revealed if we actually meet
Hail X-chan
Being torn apart from you... I don't think I could bear it. But you're always laughing
A reply from a girlish individual
I'll delete the text from my smartphone so we can go back to the fun times!
It's okay, even if we're going to fall there'll be the two of us, it's nothing scary
Your words penetrate and spread through my internal organs
I want to sneakily conquer the world, like sweet white syrup
I and you, you and me, we choke each other, it'll feel pleasant when we fall
This world is heaven! For sure
Dazai says
"Humans were born for the sake of love and revolution"
Therefore, I'll become anything for you
I'll risk my life! There are no other important things, it's okay to tell 5% lies, laughing emptily I'm about to cry
I'm about to cry, how pitiful...
And yet, and yet, in spite of this thought
I wonder why why don't I reach out
I'll say three things about how to handle me
One, please don't mark me as "already read"
Two, don't peek at the filth hidden beneath
Three, always keep your promises, I want them sealed with blood
It's right in the palm of your hand, but why is mine empty?
Does such a place as Neverland exist or is it a delusion?
If I can't get a hold of it I think I might be better off dying! On the other hand
Your words penetrate and spread through my internal organs
It is said; "Humans were born for the sake of love and revolution"
Therefore, I'll even become evil for you
I'll risk my life! Apart from you nothing is important, please give me 2% of love
laughing emptily I'm about to cry, I'm about to cry how pitiful
I'm about to cry because I love you!!!
I'm an idiotic loser woman who always put on a play for your sake
If I can't feel your hand in mine, I might be better off dying. On the other hand
I can't be sensible when I think about how my wretched self will be revealed if we actually meet
Hail X-chan
Being torn apart from you... I don't think I could bear it. But you're always laughing
A reply from a girlish individual
I'll delete the text from my smartphone so we can go back to the fun times!
It's okay, even if we're going to fall there'll be the two of us, it's nothing scary
Your words penetrate and spread through my internal organs
I want to sneakily conquer the world, like sweet white syrup
I and you, you and me, we choke each other, it'll feel pleasant when we fall
This world is heaven! For sure
Dazai says
"Humans were born for the sake of love and revolution"
Therefore, I'll become anything for you
I'll risk my life! There are no other important things, it's okay to tell 5% lies, laughing emptily I'm about to cry
I'm about to cry, how pitiful...
And yet, and yet, in spite of this thought
I wonder why why don't I reach out
I'll say three things about how to handle me
One, please don't mark me as "already read"
Two, don't peek at the filth hidden beneath
Three, always keep your promises, I want them sealed with blood
It's right in the palm of your hand, but why is mine empty?
Does such a place as Neverland exist or is it a delusion?
If I can't get a hold of it I think I might be better off dying! On the other hand
Your words penetrate and spread through my internal organs
It is said; "Humans were born for the sake of love and revolution"
Therefore, I'll even become evil for you
I'll risk my life! Apart from you nothing is important, please give me 2% of love
laughing emptily I'm about to cry, I'm about to cry how pitiful
I'm about to cry because I love you!!!
Friday, August 31, 2018
Koinatsu (Summer of Love) - CY8ER [English Translation]
Translation notes: As far as I'm able to tell "Ari ori haberi imasokari" (sung at the beginning of the song and several times throughout) originates from old Japanese literature and is a line used to remember irregular verb forms. Therefore, I've substituted an English learning sentence for it in my translation. However, I went with a modern sentence as I was unable to find an archaic one.
I before e except after c
The spirit of summer is aiding me
Now, I before e except after c
Summer begins for me
I feel the light breeze and the night wind, it's an evening rendevous
I can't get used to it, the yukata-clad figures crowding the summer festival
My heartbeat is steadfast, while shoving through the surging crowd
I grip your right hand tightly, I'm feeling kind of hot
My wishes bloom in the sky
This summer of love belongs to just you and me
There, I before e except after c
The spirit of summer is aiding me
Now, I before e except after c
Summer begins for me
Gently, gently, the flower petals fall, a vanishing flash
an unending ringing sound, this hot palpitation urged me on
I can't let go of your hand because
This summer of love belongs to just you and me
Faintly blooming love, only fix your eyes on me
Until our shaved ice melts, let me show you a faint dream
Oh! I before e except after c
The spirit of summer is aiding me
Now, I before e except after c
My summer begins
My summer begins
恋夏 - Koinatsu - Summer of Love
I before e except after c
The spirit of summer is aiding me
Now, I before e except after c
Summer begins for me
I feel the light breeze and the night wind, it's an evening rendevous
I can't get used to it, the yukata-clad figures crowding the summer festival
My heartbeat is steadfast, while shoving through the surging crowd
I grip your right hand tightly, I'm feeling kind of hot
My wishes bloom in the sky
This summer of love belongs to just you and me
There, I before e except after c
The spirit of summer is aiding me
Now, I before e except after c
Summer begins for me
Gently, gently, the flower petals fall, a vanishing flash
an unending ringing sound, this hot palpitation urged me on
I can't let go of your hand because
This summer of love belongs to just you and me
Faintly blooming love, only fix your eyes on me
Until our shaved ice melts, let me show you a faint dream
Oh! I before e except after c
The spirit of summer is aiding me
Now, I before e except after c
My summer begins
My summer begins
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Kouisho Romance (After-Effect Romance) - Yunomi [English Translation]
Translation of another Yunomi favorite of mine, Kouisyo Romance.
後遺症ロマンス - Kouisho Romance (After-Effect Romance)
I returned to safety from my 72-hour trip into the deep sea under the tatami mat
My respiratory organs seamlessly resumed working
The long bridge that continues to the neighboring town made a sound and crumbled
A hooligan without a place to go jumped in
A wolf strikes the door
Strikes the door
Strikes the door
I'll sweep away the children!
Let's fire to the end of the telephone line
Let's set a fire
Let's set a fire, my breath stopped again and I dove in
Even now the tiny needle left behind by you in the cave
Is till stuck in my chest
The atmosphere of the sepia summer sky and the shadow
Still look down on me and laugh
3...2...1 loosen the lock and let's return
Pleasant everyday wishes
Change the address and let's regain it
Okay, this is the last thing that bound my arms
The hour is too late
There's already no place for me to go
Regret strikes my eardrums
Strikes my eardrums
Strikes
My perplexed self
I'll call a doctor soon
Hey, a bell is ringing
Bell is ringing
A bell is ringing but the phone isn't working
Even now the tiny needle left behind by you in the cave
Is still stuck in my chest
The atmosphere of the sepia summer sky and the shadow
Still look down on me and laugh
The tip of my nose is tickling
The blue of the soft wind that day
Extends its hand to anywhere
I'll lose something after this point too
Even now the tiny needle left behind by you in the cave
Is till stuck in my chest
The atmosphere of the sepia summer sky and the shadow
Still look down on me and laugh
And laugh
Somatou Labyrinth (Revolving Lantern Labyrinth) - Yunomi [English Translation]
Yunomi is a recent favorite of mine, I strongly recommend checking them out on Bandcamp if you enjoy cute songs with dark undercurrents (though they also have stuff that's just cute!). With no further ado, here's my translation attempt for Somatou Labyrinth.
走馬灯ラビリンス - Somatou Labyrinth (Revolving Lantern Labyrinth)
Turn, turn
The liquid that reveals the new world is flowing
Boiling up, boiling up, the temperature rises plenty past the needed point
Preparations, preparations, were made once more
Up until now I haven't been able to leave the district
It seems like tonight the day is reborn
I tightly closed my eyes
The dark space between six tatami mats is warping
To a journey to forget you
But it's strange-
The inside of my chest is hot like it's burning
Hey, why do revolving lanterns
stop floating around you?
It can't be helped, I continue slipping into the night
It seems like, it seems like
The new world was a fake that existed in name only
The headache I had for three days and three nights became a little better
A labyrinth in the dark space between six tatami mats
Still, still I can't slip out
Again you come out in a dream
Like recollections of a hot summer
It seems I still quietly wish
In a corner of my foggy consciousness
I've lost my way and wish to find you
Why do revolving lanterns
Grow hazy and distant like this?
Why do revolving lanterns
Stop floating around you?
It can't be helped, I continue falling into the night
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Kataomoiwazurai (Unrequited Love Sickness) - CY8ER [English Translation]
As a lover of rain it was only natural for me to end up liking this song, and hence try to translate it. Both "suki" and "daisuki" can be confessions of love in Japanese, but "daisuki" is very strong. In that sense translating the "suki" parts as "like" might not be entirely accurate, but I couldn't figure out a better way to set them apart from the lines where "daisuki" is used.
My chest feels tight, looks like I'm falling in love
Drip drip, incessantly pouring rain
Startled, startled, feelings throb inside me
You advance today as well, while I stand still
Close, far away, even though it seems like the feelings reach why don't they arrive
Hey wait wait wait wait! unrequited love agony
I like like like like like, feelings of love agony
I like like like like you, I want to tell you!
A confession of liking liking liking liking liking
Do you like like like like me?
Just kidding, I can't say it, however!
I love you
I like like like like like, feelings of love agony
I like like like sukiyaki, roasted rice cake, because it's grilled
I really want to eat
Hey, I want to eat before it gets cold
My pulse and the overlapping sound of rain, drip drip, incessantly pouring rain
Startled, startled, feelings throb inside me
If the rain grows stronger I'll tell you
My cowardly self couldn't say it
I wish my emotions could reach you, I said
Hey wait wait wait wait! unrequited love agony
I like like like like like, feelings of love agony
I like like like like you, I want to tell you!
A confession of liking liking liking liking liking
I wonder if it will reach
Rainy season of love, rain clouds kick about in the city hills
Cumulonimbus clouds, a chance to elevate one's fate in love, Saikyou railway line
If I get used to thinking about tomorrow's weather it'll surely clear up
The weather forecast is a love indicator
My overflowing feelings are a hurricane
Hey humanity is still going nonstop, so let's practice how to have a good time once more
You're mixing spices in your dream, the extremely hot CY8ER Q
I say goodbye to the me of yesterday, the crybaby who fails to be upfront about her feelings every time
I want to meet you right now
Look, look, there's a rainbow, I' going to see you
I might take my time but I'll definitely, definitely be going
カタオモイワズライ - Kataomoiwazurai (Unrequited Love Sickness)
My chest feels tight, looks like I'm falling in love
Drip drip, incessantly pouring rain
Startled, startled, feelings throb inside me
You advance today as well, while I stand still
Close, far away, even though it seems like the feelings reach why don't they arrive
Hey wait wait wait wait! unrequited love agony
I like like like like like, feelings of love agony
I like like like like you, I want to tell you!
A confession of liking liking liking liking liking
Do you like like like like me?
Just kidding, I can't say it, however!
I love you
I like like like like like, feelings of love agony
I like like like sukiyaki, roasted rice cake, because it's grilled
I really want to eat
Hey, I want to eat before it gets cold
My pulse and the overlapping sound of rain, drip drip, incessantly pouring rain
Startled, startled, feelings throb inside me
If the rain grows stronger I'll tell you
My cowardly self couldn't say it
I wish my emotions could reach you, I said
Hey wait wait wait wait! unrequited love agony
I like like like like like, feelings of love agony
I like like like like you, I want to tell you!
A confession of liking liking liking liking liking
I wonder if it will reach
Rainy season of love, rain clouds kick about in the city hills
Cumulonimbus clouds, a chance to elevate one's fate in love, Saikyou railway line
If I get used to thinking about tomorrow's weather it'll surely clear up
The weather forecast is a love indicator
My overflowing feelings are a hurricane
Hey humanity is still going nonstop, so let's practice how to have a good time once more
You're mixing spices in your dream, the extremely hot CY8ER Q
I say goodbye to the me of yesterday, the crybaby who fails to be upfront about her feelings every time
I want to meet you right now
Look, look, there's a rainbow, I' going to see you
I might take my time but I'll definitely, definitely be going
Hakuchu-Mu (Daydream) - CY8ER [English Translation]
Translation notes: This song contains several names of Asian food dishes, greetings and thank yous in several languages, as well as altered or nonsense words. Many of these are left in their original form.
はくちゅーむ - Hakuchu-Mu/Hakuchuumu (Daydream)
Namaste! Hallo! Merhaba!
Annyeonghaseyo!
Xiexie! Thank you! Shukran! Thankchuu!
From Japan Harajuku Akiba, spin and turn
Nihao from Shanghai Hong Kong China! Drive through the world
Taiwan South Korea Singapore, turning and spinning
Hello from Jiufen Seoul Merlion! Totter through the world
Nice to meet you! Hello how are you totter turn turn
My dizzy head feels light in a stylish, magical dream
Birdie Tonkotsu Shio Ramen
Bibbi bibbin's Xiaolongbao
Sassa Samgyeopsal I want to eat
Huh, where am I?
Chu chu day dream chucchu chururira
chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chucchu chururira
chuchuchuchuuuru daydream
Chu chu day dream chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chuchuchu chuuru daydream
Half awake and half asleep, out-of body experience
The circle of death and rebirth, karma
Exploshuun from a nervous morning
Waiwai Wait a bit turn once turara
Waiwai Wait a bit go around returara
Waiwai Wait a bit turn once turara
One rotation around the circumference
From here on and to the end of the world, all the long way out
Asia pari pappa pararira turn turn school backpack
sock it
chuchu chuuru daydream
it's not stopping
chuchuchu churru daydream
Definitely again (definitely still more to come!)
chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chucchu chururira
chuchuchu chuuru daydream
Chu chu day dream (yay!) chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chuchuchu chuuru daydream
はくちゅーむ - Hakuchu-Mu/Hakuchuumu (Daydream)
Namaste! Hallo! Merhaba!
Annyeonghaseyo!
Xiexie! Thank you! Shukran! Thankchuu!
From Japan Harajuku Akiba, spin and turn
Nihao from Shanghai Hong Kong China! Drive through the world
Taiwan South Korea Singapore, turning and spinning
Hello from Jiufen Seoul Merlion! Totter through the world
Nice to meet you! Hello how are you totter turn turn
My dizzy head feels light in a stylish, magical dream
Birdie Tonkotsu Shio Ramen
Bibbi bibbin's Xiaolongbao
Sassa Samgyeopsal I want to eat
Huh, where am I?
Chu chu day dream chucchu chururira
chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chucchu chururira
chuchuchuchuuuru daydream
Chu chu day dream chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chuchuchu chuuru daydream
Half awake and half asleep, out-of body experience
The circle of death and rebirth, karma
Exploshuun from a nervous morning
Waiwai Wait a bit turn once turara
Waiwai Wait a bit go around returara
Waiwai Wait a bit turn once turara
One rotation around the circumference
From here on and to the end of the world, all the long way out
Asia pari pappa pararira turn turn school backpack
sock it
chuchu chuuru daydream
it's not stopping
chuchuchu churru daydream
Definitely again (definitely still more to come!)
chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chucchu chururira
chuchuchu chuuru daydream
Chu chu day dream (yay!) chucchu chuuru daydream
chu chu day dream chuchuchu chuuru daydream
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