Genesis of Aquarion (song)

"Genesis of Aquarion" "創聖のアクエリオン"
Single by AKINO
from the album Lost in Time
Released	April 27, 2005
Recorded	2005
Genre	J-Pop
Length	15:06
Label	Victor
Writer(s)	Yoko Kanno
Producer(s)	Y. Kanno
AKINO singles chronology
"Genesis of Aquarion" (2005) "Go Tight!" (2005)

"Genesis of Aquarion" (創聖のアクエリオン Sōsei no Akuerion) is the first opening theme of the anime series of the same name. Composed by Yoko Kanno, the song was originally performed by AKINO. After its release and subsequent re-release for the Genesis of Aquarion pachinko game, it became very popular in Japan and was awarded the silver medal in the JASRAC awards for 2008. Its initial release resulted in a peak at #22 on the Oricon's weekly charts.^[1] The song is also popular in the Japanese Internet communities, having been included in several of the Kumikyoku Nico Nico Douga mashups, particularly its chorus which begins with "All this time these twelve-thousand years, I know I've been in love with you" (一万年と二千年前から愛してる Ichiman nen to nisen nen mae kara aishiteru).

The song was successful digitally, and was certified as a triple platinum cellphone download, double platinum ringtone and gold PC download by the RIAJ in April 2011.^[2]

Track list

1. "Genesis of Aquarion" (創聖のアクエリオン Sōsei no Akuerion) – 4:44
2. "Pride ~ Nageki no Tabi" (プライド〜嘆きの旅 Puraido ~ Nageki no Tabi, "Pride, A Journey of Grief") – 4:35
3. "Genesis of Aquarion (Little Mix)" – 1:01
4. "Genesis of Aquarion (Instrumental)" – 4:42

Re-release

In 2007, the song was re-arranged and re-released for the use in the commercials for the Sankyo CR Fever Genesis of Aquarion pachinko game as sung by members of the cast. An EP with this version was first released digitally to the iTunes Store on October 10, 2007, and included versions of "Go Tight!" and "Kōya no Heath" sung by cast members.^[3] A CD single was later released on November 7, 2007, containing the version of "Genesis of Aquarion" sung by the cast members and was also later put on the iTunes Store. This version peaked at #14 on the Oricon Singles Weekly Charts and was eventually certified as the #189 song for 2008. In the re-released CD, AKINO is credited as "AKINO from bless4".

iTunes Store EP track list

"Genesis of Aquarion - EP"
Single by Apollo (Takuma Terashima), Silvia (Yumi Kakazu), Hong Lihua (Sanae Kobayashi)/Rena (Hiromi Satō)
Released	October 10, 2007 (iTunes Store
Genre	J-Pop
Length	15:01
Label	Victor

1. "Genesis of Aquarion (Element Gattai Ver. (エレメント合体Ver. Eremento Gattai Ver.))" – 4:42
   • Apollo (Takuma Terashima), Silvia (Yumi Kakazu), Hong Lihua (Sanae Kobayashi)
2. "Go Tight! (Element Gattai Ver.)" – 4:39
   • Apollo (Takuma Terashima), Silvia (Yumi Kakazu), Hong Lihua (Sanae Kobayashi)
3. "Kōya no Heath (Rena Rune ver.)" (荒野のヒース リーナ・ルーンver. Kōya no Hīsu Rīna Rūn ver.) – 5:40
   • Rena (Hiromi Satō)

CD single track list

"Genesis of Aquarion"
Cover for the CD single re-release
Single by Apollo (Takuma Terashima), Silvia (Yumi Kakazu), Hong Lihua (Sanae Kobayashi)/AKINO from bless4
Released	November 7, 2007
Genre	J-Pop
Length	14:13
Label	Victor

1. "Genesis of Aquarion (Element Gattai Ver.)" – 4:45
2. "Genesis of Aquarion (Original Ver.)" – 4:45
   • Akino (credited as "AKINO from bless4")
3. "Genesis of Aquarion (Instrumental)" – 4:44
   • This track is not included in the iTunes release of the single.^[4]

Other versions

For the first Genesis of Aquarion soundtrack, AKINO performed the song with her older brother Akashi on backing vocals titled "Genesis of Aquarion (With My Brother)" (創聖のアクエリオン お兄さまと Sōsei no Akuerion Oniisama to). For the second soundtrack, AKINO, with the rest of bless4 on backing vocals (and credited as the lyricists), performed an acapella/piano/gospel style version of the song with English lyrics written by the group titled "Genesis of Aquarion" (always written in the English alphabet). This version was included as a bonus track on her debut album Lost in Time. Live performances of the song are often a mix between an acapella arrangement of the predominantly English version ("Genesis of Aquarion") before the music begins for the Japanese version ("創聖のアクエリオン").

Cover versions

Yoko Ishida performed a cover version to include on her Hyper Yocomix 2 album. Masaaki Endoh also performed a cover version which was included on his first Enson cover album. The group m.o.v.e also covered the song for their anim.o.v.e. 01 album. The song was also covered for Konami's Guitar Freaks and Drummania series of games.

References

1. "「あなたと合体したい･･･」話題のCMソングが大ブレイクの兆し". Oricon. 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
2. レコード協会調べ　4月度有料音楽配信認定＜略称：4月度認定＞ [Record Association report: April digital music download certifications (Abbreviation: April Certifications)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). May 20, 2011. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
3. "Various Artists「創聖のアクエリオン - EP」 - iTunes で「創聖のアクエリオン - EP」をダウンロード". 2007-10-10. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
4. "アポロ(CV:寺島 拓篤) シルヴィア(CV:かかず ゆみ) 麗花(CV:小林 沙苗) AKINO from bless4「創聖のアクエリオン - Single」 - iTunes で「創聖のアクエリオン - Single」をダウンロード". 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2010-04-06.

External links

• Genesis of Aquarion discography