It’s Sunday again! This week’s #SongLyricsSunday theme is about ” Cards / Dice / Gamble / Lose / Win”, thanks to the series’ host Jim Adams. I want to take a look at a song from a past anime that was super popular when I was in middle school. One of the opening themes for this anime is called “Shuffle” by a popular anime singer called Masumi Okui. But, what kind of message do I get when I listen to this song? Read to find out!
Feeling Nostalgic
I was finally able to watch the new Aladdin movie with Will Smith yesterday. Overall, I enjoyed it. I was so happy with Will Smith as the Genie. But, my favorite scene is with Jasmine’s “Speechless”. It almost made me cry because it was such a powerful scene. It is a great movie and recommended if you haven’t seen it!
Speaking of nostalgia. they play a trailer to the upcoming Pokemon movie before the movie. There is a new Pokemon movie each summer. But, the upcoming one is a surprise. It is a CGI remake of the first Pokemon movie: Mewtwo no Gyakushuu or Mewtwo Strikes Back. I remember when it came out when I was in elementary school, it was a huge deal because of the (now worthless) legendary card. I think I will see the remake just to go down memory lane. Also, to see if they change anything for the remake.
It’s All In the Cards
When the Pokemon craze hit the United States in the 90s, I remember my classmates trading cards rather than playing with each other during recess. That is when I was first introduced to the trading card get. I got so out of control (and that the children weren’t playing during recess) that the principal eventually banned the cards from the school grounds.
Once the Pokemon craze died down in 2000, there was a chance for another anime and card game series to become the next craze. And that was Yu-Gi-Oh! or “King of Games” (遊☆戯 ☆ 王）.
Just Like the Cards
Today’s pick is “Shuffle” by Masumi Okui. It was used as the second opening to the anime Yu-Gi-Oh Dual Monsters in Japan. My brother was into the Yu-Gi-Oh card game back when we were in middle and high school. He would collect the cards and battle at card shops. However, for me, I wasn’t into the card games nor the anime. I didn’t really like the English dub. However, I did catch the last season of the show when I found it online when it was ending.
Yu-Gi-Oh has some amazing music. Out of all the songs, “Shuffle” one of my favorites from the series. The lyrics were written by Masumi Okui If you haven’t heard of Masumi Okui, you should be listening to this amazing artist! I love her so much. She sang so many of favorite anime theme songs like “Rinbu Revolution” (Revolutionary Girl Utena), “only one, No.1” (Di Gi Charat), “Get along” (with Megumi Hayashibara, Slayers), and others. In 2003, she joined the super anime song (or anison) singer group JAM Project. This group also features other legendary singers like Rika Matsumoto, Hironobu Kageyama, and etc.
Close Your Eyes and Just Shuffle
“Shuffle” captures the energy of the duels (or card battles) that happen in each episode: it’s fast paced, high energy, and full of spirit. I always love the rock flavor of this song as it really fits Masumi’s voices and the mood of the anime. But the best part of the song is the lyrics as it captures the message of never giving up and perceiving very well. Yes, the lyrics use analogies of card games since this for an anime about card game battles. But, you can ignore the card game analogies and find your own message in this song! For me, it is about never giving up even in rough times.
What kind of message do you find this song? Is it uplifting? Empowering? Let me know in the comments below!
Meanwhile, you can listen to the song here. The video also has English translations for the lyrics in the captions.
Here is the TV size version of the song:
Here is the translation of the lyrics:
“I can’t cross over” “It’s getting irritating”
I’m breaking through the hurdle but no answer appears before meIf you don’t protect the balance of things like love and power
Then you’ll completely lose sight of yourselfAre you being manipulated? on the field, no one
Is frightened, go away, but…The roads of tomorrow are not visible
So you might not be able to choose one
Just close your eyes and cut with your heart, just like cards, I’m sure
We’ll create a miracleIf we live seriously, there will be more things important to us
We forgot all of the unpleasant thingsThese bonds are completely invisible, on the field, everyone
is the essential power, so…I’ve come to know the loneliness and difficulty of being alone
And now I understand pain
No matter what sorts of things burden me
I’ll carry them without running awayThese days there are far too many**
People that have cool faces but turn their backs on you
Close your eyes and see with your heart, just like cards, that
Was a promise, Yes! You are the winnerTomorrow is not visible, but because of it
I just realized that I’m, ah, excited about it
Never lose! Cut with your heart, just like cards, I’m sure
A miracle will happen from it
The Rules
If you want to participate, here are the rules:
- Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not.
- Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
- Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
- Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
- Ping back to this post will eventually work, as long as you are being patient, but you can also place your link in the comments if you don’t like to wait.
- Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
- Feel free to suggest future prompts.
- Have fun and enjoy the music.
