ゴールデンボンバー (Golden Bomber) – 令和 (Reiwa) Translation

Kanji

Translation

 

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

As time goes on

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

As time goes by

 

What’s the reason of all this uproar about changing the name of a period of time that lasted thirty years?

“The last day of the Heisei Era! (x2)

Hey! Say! Heisei is the best!”

Why do I feel uneasy when I hear this?

That’s because I’m not sure I survived through this period

And now, time to change! Change myself!

Dive into the whirlpool of History!

Reiwa! The time is passing!

Reiwa! The years are piling up!

Reiwa! What will I leave
in this changing world?

Reiwa! A new era!

Reiwa! My heart is throbbing!

Reiwa! Even the smallest

remaining regrets are unnecessary for the future!

I guess no one from thirty years ago could understand

a world like this, unless they hopped in a DeLorean

Making predictions makes no sense, but there’s no need to be afraid, maybe the future won’t be that bleak

And now, because our lives depend on ourselves,

be it eating, or sleeping, or winning, or losing,

it’ll be an era of freedom!

Reiwa! The time is passing!

Reiwa! The years are piling up!

Reiwa! What will happen now
in this changing world?

Reiwa! You were born!

Reiwa! That person passed away!

Reiwa! The passing baton is so heavy

that it’s gonna burst this arm!

Today we won’t take over for many generations just because it looks cool, so it’s fine! Let’s go! All together! Let’s go!

Together to form a single soul!

Reiwa! The time is passing!

Reiwa! The years are piling up!

Reiwa! What will I leave
in this changing world?

Reiwa! A new era!

Reiwa! My heart is throbbing!

Reiwa! Even the smallest

remaining regrets are unnecessary for the future!

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

As time goes on

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

Chu Churu Chu Churu Chu Chu

As time goes by

Notes and Other

Translation by Manuel, notes by me

Words in Italic are in English in the original lyrics.

So, I’m pretty sure everyone heard about the change of era in Japan and perhaps this is the first time such an event gets so much attention even abroad, but actually, it’s not like things are going to be extremely different. In many aspects, Heisei might have been disappointing and Visual Kei, during that era, has always played the role of the “anti-establishment” guys: seems like this trend will be kept for this era as well.

シェルミー (Shellmy) – 大人になったら死にたい (Otona ni Nattara Shinitai) Translation

Kanji: taken by the video description

Translation

Title: When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

 

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

because both my short-term and long-term future make me anxious.

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die,

I’d hate to become old and ugly.

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die,

I have no interest in getting married or having children.

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die,

I can’t stand such a tough life.

 

If I become an adult,

I feel like my own worth would be lessened,

the second hand of the clock chasing me is so scary!

 

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

so for now I want to live vaguely.

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

When I’ll become an adult, kill me.

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

because probably my happiness is way too far.

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

I want to meet a dead cat*.

 

Even if I become an adult,

I don’t think I can find a reason to keep living,

I’m being gulped down by waves of anxiety, help me!

 

“When I’ll become an adult, I want to die”

When I was child, they made me write my dreams or something on the yearbook, that of course was to become rich and to be able to marry someone famous,

but it is different,

While passing days in which I can’t be satisfied for some reason,

I just keep ageing and ageing,

this has to be Despair.

 

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

When I’ll become an adult…

 

If I become an adult,

I feel like my own worth would be lessened,

the second hand of the clock chasing me is so scary!

I want to be satisfied, I want to be saved,

there’s no answer anywhere,

I want to keep loving this young self of mine!

 

When I’ll become an adult, I want to die

 

Notes and Other

*= really don’t know why the dead cat.

 

ザアザア (XaaXaa) – 死んじゃったポチの話 (Shinjatta Pochi no Hanashi) Translation

Kanji

Translation

Title: The story of the dead Pochi*

 

My name is Pochi*
and I live happily

with my dear mommy and my dear daddy

One day mommy and daddy had a fight

So daddy left and then I was alone with mommy

Mommy always seems busy

and doesn’t play with me

After waiting and waiting she took me out for a walk

I’m so happy! I’m so happy! A man who looks like daddy
has also petted me!

It’s so strange! It’s so strange! Mommy left me behind and went somewhere

I don’t know why, but I’ve been left

alone in this cold room

I’m scared! I don’t like this!

I want to go home now!

I’m sure she’s busy, I’ll be a good boy and wait!

I’m waiting and waiting, but mommy isn’t coming!

Why?

Don’t throw me away… (x3) I’m not an object…

Don’t throw away… (x3) this life…

Everyone is keeping us because we’re somewhat cute,

saying things like “I want it! I want it!” without thinking much,

and it’s so painful when we end up abandoned and die!

Don’t forget about us!

Don’t go! Don’t go!

I’ve been a good boy

so don’t leave me here!

You always hugged me tightly

and treated me with love

You don’t need me anymore?

I’ve finally realized it,

inside the cage that’s getting

smaller and smaller!

It’s so painful! It’s so painful!

Why did mommy

do such a thing?

And so, shortly after, Pochi* was dead

Far away, someone else has thrown away another life

 

Notes and Other

Translation by Manuel, notes by me

*=Pochi is the most common name for dogs in Japanese, pretty much the equivalent for Fido in english.

 

vivid undress – スクランブル (Scramble) Translation

Kanji

Translation

 

Hey, how can you get over

these recent lonely nights?

 

The love that you left in your room

is probably rotting inside the refrigerator

The trash that you stuffed inside those boxes

is too much to carry, so throw it away

 

I’ve had a long dream, but the night is finally over

Your new song is too fast, I can’t hear it!

 

Hey, at that time

I used to do everything on my own

I’ve felt the need of your talent

so I called your name over and over again

 

I’ve been walking unconsciously

“Odakyū Line” Ah, wrong way

The memories came up vividly

along with a sorrowful song

 

From then on I’ve hold my breath

every time I ended up finding someone like you

The brushing wind got cold, the bustle subsided

as well, that’s because winter has come

 

Hey, at that time you were always alone,

even when we were together

We were fine without such things as formality

because we’re great at keeping secrets

 

Heavy eyelids, it’s 3 AM

From the open window came the scent of rain

In the morning I’ll brush my teeth

Looking like anything ever happened,

I guess the city will leave this day behind

 

Hey, we’re fine like this

The clock kept going increasing its tempo

The singing voice I’ve stumbled across in town

was from someone I don’t know

 

Notes and Other

Translation by Manuel, notes by me

The title should not be interpreted with its normal meaning, since the famous “Shibuya Crossing” is called “Scramble Crossing” in Japanese. That’s why, the title refers to the act of walking toward a person and passing by it withot even realizing it, just in the same it happens in that crossing where thousands of people go by. The person who the author’s passes by is the other composer and perhaps lover.

キズ (Kizu) – 天誅 (Tenchuu) Translation

Kanji

Translation

Title: Heaven’s Punishment

 

If you promise me the eternity,

you must be able to live “without ageing and dying”, don’t you think?

Are you anxious about the future you cannot see?

You are strangling yourself stronger and stronger.

 

Look, once again these domestic animals dream,

parents, you get your money eaten away by a woman

and you still give birth to others today too?

What a shitty song, what shitty lyrics!

 

I doubt, doubt, doubt that!

Why do you still encourage her?

You keep supporting with hymns like “one like you can do it”

that girl* that nobody even knows.

 

I doubt, doubt, doubt that!

You are singing about a false love,

if you can’t even love a single girl*,

how can you even love all those in front of your eyes?

 

Those guys and those other guys, they are all helpless!

Having a big party full of contraddiction,

saying “I don’t know. I don’t know.

I didn’t realize that.”

It’s about time you change what’s inside of your head!

 

This and that, it’s all helpless!

A dreamy sentence that takes you out of reality like

“If you just open the door you’ll see hope”,

why do I only see darkness?

 

So stupid, so stupid, so stupid!

The things that everyone actually wants to say,

nobody can’t say them because they’re afraid.

 

So stupid, so stupid!

Everyone plays and produce

a business rock precise as a clock.

 

Let fall down a divine punishment or castigation!

Make all pretty things vanish in an instant!

Please, a divine punishment or castigation to the sinful people,

a divine, divine, divine punishment!

 

You hurt by knowing the truth,

they told you with an indirect expression, haven’t they?

Everyone has started to worry and began searching

with PCs and smartphones, like superficial detectives!

 

You might know me,

but I don’t know you,

yes, it’s a sad relationship,

yet, once again, you

say “I like you”.

 

I doubt, doubt, doubt that!

Your feelings are in contrast,

if you can’t even love yourself properly,

I doubt you can love other people.

 

I doubt, doubt, doubt that!

I’m not your man so

don’t you even ask me for some gentleness.

There’s no reason for me to receive such words

so don’t you dare mistake that!

 

Those guys and those other guys, they are all helpless!

Make up your gentleness and let’s have a big party,

“I’ll protect you for all my life, right here”,

if you think about that calmly, that’s impossible.

 

This and that, it’s all helpless!

This and that are like the me of the past,

“What’s the point of singing risking putting one’s life at stake?”

it’s like a stupid trick to get used to each other and despise each other.**

 

So stupid, so stupid, so stupid!

In reality, the only thing you want to protect

is your own everyday life and existence.

 

So stupid, so stupid!

This is not your place to be!

The only thing you have are social rank and fame!

 

Let fall down a divine punishment or castigation!

Make all pretty things scatter in pieces!

Please, let fall the divine punishment I should have received when I was immature,

a divine, divine, divine punishment!

 

This is not your place to be,

create your place to be with your own hand!

Because the things we ask to the others

just crumble down.

 

If you think I’m wrong,

you should sing about your own Justice.

Don’t do that on social medias!

Try to convey that on a fair position!

 

Try to sing about that!

Try to convey that as your life was at stake!

 

So stupid, so stupid!

In this reality which has an end and keeps changing,

everyone is living gritting their teeth.

 

So stupid, so stupid!

We have mistaken in making you dream,

I don’t want to hear the voices of day-dreamers.

 

Let fall down a divine punishment or castigation!

Make all pretty things vanish in an instant!

Please, a divine punishment or castigation to the sinful people,

a divine, divine, divine punishment!

a divine, divine, divine punishment!

 

Notes and Other

*= might also mean “child”, but to me “girl” made more sense.

**= not too sure about this sentence, I’m open to suggestions.

R指定(R-Shitei) – フラッシュバック (Flashback) Translation

Kanji

Translation

 

When the Heisei era will end

for sure my illness won’t heal,

so, to all the teachers, farewell, bye bye,

my medications only keep increasing.

 

Just like that girl who died in that suicide live hosting*,

the sadness has become a single cloud,

and once again…

 

I have a flashback and cut my wrists,

LOOP&LOOP&LOOP

I have a flashback and cut my wrists,

SHU&SHU&SHU**

 

Persecution complex, inferiority, uneasiness, because of all this I’m on the brink on collapsing, and on top of that

in overdose, I’m vomiting, it’s so painful…

Unexpected urges, deep cuts, deep instability, hiding the bandages, I see through these things,

in overdose I’m vomiting, so Fuck you!!

 

When we’ll enter the new era

for sure nothing will change around me

so, can I quit now? Not yet!

Can I quit now? I’m so done…***

And then, look…

 

I have a flashback and cut my wrists,

LOOP&LOOP&LOOP

I have a flashback and cut my wrists,

SHU&SHU&SHU**

 

Creating the future is an absurdity, like overcoming one’s limits with a pessimistic way of thinking, because of this belated treatment,

in overdose, I’m vomiting, it’s so painful…

A stupid behaviour and way of speaking, my behaviour has no problem, don’t bother me with your hypothesis,

in overdose I’m vomiting, so Fuck me!!

 

What should I do? What should I do?

You keep asking yourself this question,

should I live? Should I die?

I’ll try to think it through and ask to other people who are suffering

“Yep, I definetely want to die”

 

I have a flashback and cut my wrists,

LOOP&LOOP&LOOP

I have a flashback and cut my wrists,

SHU&SHU&SHU**

 

Persecution complex, inferiority, uneasiness, because of all this I’m on the brink on collapsing, and on top of that

in overdose, I’m vomiting, it’s so painful…

A stupid behaviour and way of speaking, my behaviour has no problem, don’t bother me with your hypothesis,

in overdose I’m vomiting, so Fuck you!! Fuck you!!

 

Notes and Other

*=I couldn’t find much as most of the sources are difficult to access, but apparently there has been a case of an idol who streamed on nico-nico douga herself while cutting her wrists. It wouldn’t surprise if such episode had some kind of resonance among a certain kind of public: that would explain why R-shitei quoted this episode.

**= Not sure, but I think “shu” is the onomatopoeia for a cutting/slicing sound, just like cutting one’s wrists.

***= Usually children use these lines when playing hide and seek to tell the seeker when he/she can start search for the others. In this context the words, even thought remain unchanged, get a different meaning as the main character seems to have had enough with life.

Japan has entered the new era called “Reiwa” which is suppossed to refer to a word from a famous poetry in which a slightly cold wind in February (the “reiwa”) announces the upcoming arrival of the spring, hinting to the feeling of the arrival of a new fresh period. R-shitei took the chance of all this enthusiastic wait of Japan for this new era just to underline that nothing will drastically change from one day to the other: rather than a new era, it seems like re-living through a flashback of the past one.

ペンタゴン (Pentagon) -カルチャーショック (Culture Shock) Translation

Kanji-Romaji

Translation

 

Like a piercing knife,
Like a startled child
Like a touching movie, oh

 

Repeating “No! No!” in the corner of my room
Saying “No! No!” will be enough… that’s unacceptable!

Throw away your “I know”, can you do that*?
Those bystanders are just a background noise, c’mon it’s showtime!
Transform your sorrow! Do you know how to do that too?
Don’t cry! You still want to try too hard?

The thrown stones turn into stars, like billions of dream buds
Winding and coiling, pretending not to see, if you can’t laugh then it won’t end!

Step aside! Go away! Step aside! No Way!
Let me go! Transmission! Succession!** Don’t force me!
Go away! Step aside! No way!
Let it go! Dead show! Combustion! Stop shaking me!

 

Even the earthworms, the mole crickets, the pond skaters are all friends and family
Break out the wall, stand up now, where love is there’s you and victory

 

I can’t feel anything here anymore, nothing resonates now
Maybe it doesn’t mean that I hate it, but I can’t go back, then I can’t stop

 

Step aside! Go away! Step aside! No Way!
Let me go! Transmission! Succession!** Don’t force me!
Go away! Step aside! No way!
Let it go! Dead show! Combustion! Wow!

 

“I want to protect you”, that’s what I thought while going to the other side with you***
I won’t forget the despair of that day

 

Oh, what’s right is full of errors! Try to yell with all your might!
Another 100 points**** and it’s goodbye! I don’t need that! I’ll rip and throw it away!
Oh yeah! Popping give up @ don’t sleep don’t sleep**
Oh yeah! The jet flies and flies and gets to the moon**

 

There is no love so you are coward, there’s no love so you once again avert your eyes
“But” “But” “But”
Don’t say that! Take it lightly, right now!

 

Step aside! Go away! Step aside! No Way!
Let me go! Transmission! Succession!** Don’t force me!
Go away! Step aside! No way!
Let it go! Dead show! Combustion!** Wow!

“I want to protect you”, that’s what I thought on the way to the other side***
I won’t forget, from now on

 

Notes and Other

Very thanks to Manuel for the translation!

Words in Italic are in English in the original lyrics.

*=written as “yuunou” which sounds as “you know (how to)”, in contrast with the “I know” just before.

**= I don’t think a translation is possible and also the meaning is very abstract as the main focus of this sentences is to play on the sound of the words.

***=perhaps the other side opposite to those “bystanders” quoted in the first lines.

****= 100 is maximum score in Japanese tests, often associated with the concept of “being too diligent, to the point of studying in a mechanical way”.

A song about the generational gap inside Japanese society, so strong that, according to Pentagon, is so strong that seems like a culture shock, almost as the generations had completely different cultures.

 

ゴシップ (Gossip) – 七月三十一日 (Shichigatsu Sanjuuichinichi) Translation

Kanji-Romaji

Translation

Title: July 31st

 

It is the season when cicadas start showing their intestines,

the call-up notice informed me that it was my turn*,

You, pregnant, said “how sudden”**,

and were crashed by sadness.

 

On one summer night, you see me off to that hill, just the two of us,

I take your hand and choose my words,

the faint memories and recollection, as to count them***,

I shut them into my chest.

 

In those days who lost their colours, everything

was so hateful, hateful, hateful.

In the season when cherry flowers scatter, I will hug my child****,

I want to go home, I want to go home, I want to go home.

 

One day, the meaning of war will change

and will become a distant memory in oblivion which nobody will know.

Just like as when the cicadas stop crying,

look, the wind stopped.

 

On one summer night, in front of the slop you saw me off, just the two of us,

I take your hand and choose not to say a word,

If I walk forward now, will I not come back?

I walk on.

 

In those days who lost their colours, everything

was so hateful, hateful, hateful.

Before I end up being left behind in a horrible state,

I want to go home.

 

The rain falls, even if I look up to the sky and try to scream,

my voice doesn’t come out, in the end I wanted

to laugh with you carelessly, I want to go home,

I want to go home, I want to go home, I want to go home, I want to go home,

I want to go home, I want to go home,

so…

 

The days pass, my country crumbles and the victims are left in the past,

my soul keeps wandering, so…

 

Notes and Other

*= it’s the turn to serve the military, that’s why there’s the call-up notice.

**= not too sure about the translation, but I’m confident in the meaning of the sentence.

***=so, usually the construction here is used for sentence like “so many I can’t count them”, but here’s no negative form so it might be one way to emphasize that the main character is so young he didn’t spend enough time with his lover to create some memories. Still, the sentence wouldn’t make much sense in that way, so I chose to use the other meaning of the construction.

****=it’s just a small nuance, but here the main character uses a construction that implies an emotional involvement which makes the sentence sound more like an assertion (implying “I want to hug my child”) rather than a promise.

So, I don’t know anything about the context of the song in the album nor the concept of the band, but I’m very sure that this is about the feelings of a man who had to part from his pregnant lover to go to fight during the Second World War and died on the field. The lyrics are written in kanji and katakana instead of the usual mix kanji-hiragana, probably to mimic the style of writing of the period. The last lines of the song tells us that in the end the main character dies, but his soul still binds him to this world because of his suffering.