Brief Summary
This video explores the use of odd time signatures and metric modulations in Japanese anime songs. It examines how composers use these techniques to enhance the storytelling, reflect character traits, and create unique musical experiences. The analysis covers four songs, detailing their rhythmic structures and how they contribute to the overall atmosphere and narrative of their respective anime series.
- "Liar Mask" uses a 3-4 section to reflect dramatic, play-like lyrics.
- "Masshiro" employs 5-8 and 6-8 time signatures to mirror a character's frailty and hope.
- "Arigatou wa Kocchi no Kotoba" shifts meters to match the lyrical content and reflect the show's themes.
- "Toki wo Kizamu Uta" mixes common and odd meters to express complex emotions and narrative shifts.
Intro
The video introduces the concept of odd time signatures in music, noting their relative rarity in popular music compared to common time signatures like 4/4 and 3/4. It explains that while odd time signatures are frequently used in background music to create atmosphere, they often go unnoticed by the average listener. The video aims to explore how Japanese composers incorporate these unusual time signatures into anime songs, creating unique and engaging musical experiences.
Liar Mask
The analysis begins with "Liar Mask," the second opening track of "Akame ga Kill!". The song starts in a quick 4/4 rhythm with a simple melody. The pre-chorus transitions into 3/4, creating a dizzying, carnivalesque quality that matches the lyrics about a tragic play and a hidden face. This 3/4 section enhances the dramatic feel of the lyrics, making them sound like lines from a play, before returning to 4/4 for the edgy, angst-infused chorus.
Masshiro
The video then examines "Masshiro," the opening for the first season of "Ascendance of a Bookworm." The song begins with a piano solo that initially suggests a slow 4/4 pulse but quickly reveals itself to be in 5/8. The composer uses this stumbling 5/8 pattern to reflect the main character's physical weakness and her yearning for books, a luxury she cannot easily attain in her frail condition. The 5/8 sections are interspersed with smoother 6/8 sections, representing her progress and the challenges she faces in achieving her dreams.
Arigatou wa Kocchi no Kotoba
The analysis shifts to "Arigatou wa Kocchi no Kotoba," focusing on how its meter changes mirror the lyrics and the show's atmosphere. The song opens as a slow 4/4 ballad, transitions to a quicker 6/8, and incorporates a 9/8 bar before settling into a 4/4 marching section. These shifts create a journey-like feel, reflecting the journey of the characters in the anime. The song's structure is likened to a parent and child's day, starting slowly, then rushing, before finding a steady rhythm.
Toki wo Kizamu Uta
The final song discussed is "Toki wo Kizamu Uta," known for its complex time signature changes. The song opens with a piano line in a 3-3-2 pattern, leading into verses with alternating bars of 3/4 and 5/4, creating 13-beat musical phrases. These irregular sections represent the shortening and lengthening of time, reflecting the protagonist's life after graduation. The chorus bursts into 4/4, expressing the emotions of regret and longing. A post-chorus in 5/8, ornamented with a 6/8 bar, creates a rapid-fire, chant-like feeling, mirroring the subtle magic in the anime's world.
Outro
The video concludes by summarizing how these metric modulations enhance the songs, allowing them to reach greater heights regardless of other musical aspects. It acknowledges that while odd time signatures aren't new in music, their accessible use in these anime songs makes them fascinating. The video encourages viewers to share other examples of anime songs with odd time signatures in the comments.
