“Hero” English Translation

So I’ve stated a few times before that I’m a big fan of supercell. In the anime world, the band is most famous for Black Rock Shooter, a (rather disappointing) OVA that was spawned from its song of the same title, as well as The Story You Didn’t Know (Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari), the ending theme to Bakemonogatari. Of course, originally being a Vocaloid band, supercell has ties to plenty in otakudom, including having the opening song to the PSP game Project Diva 2nd (Come Over Here Baby (Kocchi Muite Baby)) and the ending song to Type-Moon’s delayed (first non-eroge) visual novel, Witch on the Holy Night (This Star Sparkling Night).

Well, wouldn’t you know it, supercell has now added a manga to the list, with the online release of Hero (ヒーロー), the theme song to a manga called AOHARU.

Here’s the short 45 second preview video that’s on AOHARU‘s official site:

“Hoshi ga matataku konna yoru ni” English Translation

Well, supercell’s 3rd CD single, Utakata Hanabi (Literally Water Bubble Fireworks, though kumoriha translates it as Ephemeral Fireworks in his translation. I prefer Bubble-Like Fireworks, personally), was released last week on August 25. The title track, predictably enough, leaked about a month back, so that was nothing new, but also in the release was a second track, titled 星が瞬くこんな夜に (Hoshi ga matataku konna yoru ni), or This Star Sparkling Night in English. Below is a YouTube video of the song in full.

Since I haven’t been able to find an English translation for its lyrics, I thought that I would take a crack at it.

Happy Birthday, Hitagi! Also, Tanabata

Today is July 7, which means it’s Hitagi Senjougahara’s birthday and also Tanabata in Japan, both of which the Bakemonogatari.com official site is celebrating. Besides offering a happy birthday picture for Hitagi, Shaft offers us what each of the main characters wished for on their tanzakus this Tanabata. I thought it would be neat to share them with you all.

The Bakemonogatari Delay: By the Numbers

It’s hard to believe, but over 320 days since the first episode of Bakemonogatari aired on July 3, 2009, the show is still not complete. It has been almost 3 months since the latest episode was released. It was easily the most popular show of 2009, dominating the chatter in anime fandom both in Japan and out. I thought it would be interesting to take a look at this incredible – unprecedented? – delay from a couple different perspectives.

Nino Under the Bridge and Emptying Our Pockets

I’ve made it no secret I’m a fan of Maaya Sakamoto, especially her music. Let me quote myself from the spring 2010 preview post:

I could listen to Maaya’s voice all day (in fact, I sometimes do, putting her music on my playlist).

I was listening to her recent compilation album Everywhere, when 1 song caught my attention. The song is called Pocket o Kara ni Shite or, translated, Emptying Our Pockets (below is a YouTube video of a live performance).

“Sociometry” English Translation

It finally came out today~! This is definitely one of my favorite KOTOKO songs ever. The TV size version has been played precisely 100 times on my MP3 player already… ^_^;;;

Corrections are totally encouraged on this one; it was especially difficult because there were grammar structures I didn’t recognize. Consider it not final. ^_^;

Source romaji/kanji

“Sociometry”
vocals by KOTOKO
Shakugan no Shana II ED2

“Pray” English Translation

Yet another Nana Mizuki song I love and adore. The scene it was used during in Nanoha StrikerS episode 24 is completely and totally awesome. ^____^ A few other people have already translated this, but I wanted to try my hand at it; plus someone I know requested it. :D Corrections are appreciated~

Source romaji/kanji

Pray
vocals by Nana Mizuki
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS IN24

“Super Generation” English Translation

My Nana Mizuki fangirl is taking over, niipaa~ ^_^ Super Generation is another painfully overlooked song of hers, and it looked like an easy translation job (haha,) so here it is. Romaji/Kanji

EDIT: Also, I have compiled a page for requests and the like.

“Super Generation”
vocals by Nana Mizuki

“My Dear Friend” English Translation

:3 It’s finally out~! I believe the single was originally planned to come out on December 5 last year, but its release got pushed back a month and a half to January 25 or so. So I finally went ahead and translated the romaji/kanji, and it ended up being worthwhile~ ^_^ It’s a pretty sweet song; if I were more of a sap, I’d have these lyrics posted on my bedroom wall or something.

“My Dear Friend”
vocals by Thelma Aoyama (Teruma Aoyama)
Shion no Ou ED1

“Kokoro no Ato” English Translation

Riyu Kosaka = <33333333. ‘Nuff said. :D

Corrections are appreciated, since the chances of this being perfect are quite slim ^_^; Romaji/kanji here as usual.

“Kokoro no Ato,” Whereabouts of the Heart
Vocals by Riyu Kosaka
Mokke OP1