If you have not already listened to the podcast of this category, this is the final results, so this will spoil the course of the discussion on that podcast! Be warned!
As humanity evolved into the form we are now, there are stories and theories that in antiquity- cultures learned to sing before the formation of language. Countless creation myths and rituals the world over revolve around singing, the first true instrument of humanity. There is something so distinctly powerful, so human– about singing that we can’t help but feel moved by it. The songs featured in this category maybe are not as grand as the history of singing itself, but we wanted to celebrate the songs that spoke to us this year. Your winners for Best Vocal Song are…!
The Winner
Haruhikage by MyGo!!!!! (BanG Dream: It’s MyGO!!!!!!)
“Now that I’ve been through all this, I think I understand, I was unable to cry that day… But the light gently held me in its embrace.“
As the guitar starts in this song, it’s a very simple riff. A simple opening that catches the others off guard, as they join in to create the foundation of sound that allows Tomori (portrayed by Youmiya Hina) to begin singing straight from the heart. The other girls bring in their voices to support Tomori, something that until this moment, they had all fell short in doing. As the song picks up, the well of emotion that had been building up inside her spring forth and can barely be contained as she sings the pain, joy, frustration, and relief she feels in this moment. The performance of Haruhikage is a moment of heartbreak and healing that ripples throughout every aspect of this song in the show, and caught us as off guard as the band is
In truth, the song is not particularly complicated in it’s composition. It’s a slow melody that is supported by a basic drum beat, unremarkable bass line, and simple yet effective guitar. But that’s part of what elevates this song. It’s a deeply earnest try by an (in universe) inexperienced rock band that is moments away of crashing out and falling apart, held together by the raw emotion on display by vocalist Youmiya Hina. You get the feeling that this performance and this song is a cry from the heart in every regard, the band pulling together for one magical performance that can be felt in every beat of Haruhikage. It’s not the end of the band’s troubles, far from it. But it’s a song that brings so much earnest emotion that we couldn’t not celebrate the achievement.
The Runners-Up
Dan Dan Kokoro Hikareteku by Field of View (Dragon Ball GT)
“Bit by bit, you’re charming my heart!”
When one thinks of Dragon Ball, where does your mind drift to? Is it the goofy comedy of the early manga, or genre-defining action? Often times, the openings to these shows try to convey things like breaking limits or going on mystical adventures. It’s not often about the gentle process of opening your heart up to another person. It’s an immature love song, emphasized by the wavering strain of reaching the pushing against the natural range of Yuya Asaoka’s vocal chords but in a way that is deeply earnest. Even in modern performances of the song, he sings the song in a style less skilled but more in line with what is remembered. It’s immediately charming and, bit by bit, we fell more in love with this tune.
Plan A by DISH// (The Elusive Samurai)
“Plan A, Plan A, winning by running away!”
You know what, sometimes a song can be just plain fun, and DISH// definitely brings that in Plan A. The use of vocal shouts, shamisens, flutes and horns as an active undercurrent to the snappy rhythms of guitar and drums create a sort of aural personification of the show it introduces. It’s an anachronistic mashing of modern rock instrumentation supported by the familiar tones of Japanese folk music which perfectly captures the mood of The Elusive Samurai to a T. The lyrics themselves are a simple but playful declaration of “winning by running away” as the vocalist matches the rapid tempo, creating the feelings of joyfully running from danger with your companions. The song is catchy and attention getting from the opening measures and doesn’t let up- like a friend grabbing your hand and enthusiastically leading you through this mess we call life. We got swept up in it with a smile on our faces the whole way.
That’s it for the Vocal songs, but tune in on Wednesday for the companion to this pod, Best Instrumental! See you then.
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