Amanchu! ED Single – Futari Shoujo – Review
| Album Title: | Futari Shoujo |
|---|---|
| Anime Title: | Amanchu |
| Artist: | Akino Arai, Mina Kubota, Ai Kayano, Eri Suzuki, Mistera Feo |
| Catalog Number: | VTCL-35237 |
| Release Type: | OP/ED Single |
| Release Date: | August 24, 2016 |
| Purchase at: | CDJapan |
| Track Title | Artist | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 01. Futari Shoujo | Kayano Ai & Suzuki Eri | 5:00 |
| 02. Aquamarine | Kubota Mina feat. Mistera Feo | 3:17 |
| 03. Turquoise | Kubota Mina feat. Mistera Feo | 2:55 |
| 04. Futari Shoujo -guitar version- | Akino Arai | 2:39 |
| 05. Aquamarine -without Mistera Feo- | Mina Kubota | 3:17 |
| 06. Turquoise -piano & vocalise- | Mina Kubota | 2:51 |
| 07. Futari Shoujo -without Teko- | Akino Arai | 4:58 |
| 08. Futari Shoujo -without Pikari- | Akino Arai | 4:58 |
| 09. Futari Shoujo -without Teko Pikari- | Akino Arai | 4:56 |
Review: The soothing sounds from Amanchu!‘s opening theme, “Million Clouds” segues into the show’s serene groove. “Futari Shoujo” then comes in to close the episode on a satisfying note.
“Futari Shoujo” is a balmy song befitting a balmy anime. It’s scintillating guitar introduction, penned by Akino Arai, gives way to Ai Kayano’s quiet vocals, and with it, the first facet of “Futari Shoujo’s” duality. Her tone is demure, mirroring her character Teko’s shy personality, but her delivery doesn’t sacrifice the breadth of emotions that Teko feels. From the song, Teko’s blossoming happiness materializes when she makes a friend and the two go on to create precious memories together. So while Ai Kayano’s performance won’t have you leaning forward to take notice, it’s wonderfully dreamy, leaving you steeped in contentment.
Eri Suzuki’s performance introduces the song’s other duality. Suzuki’s singing, like her character Pikari, is sharper and more extroverted. In the course of the song, she intones a boundless curiosity and optimism that drives her to explore the world around her and share the activities she loves with others. Her singing voice isn’t as refined as Ai Kayano’s, but there’s a spunkiness that makes her performance memorable.
On its own, “Futari Shoujo” isn’t something that would immediately jump out at you because of its soft and balmy tones. But it’s hard to deny its charming sentiments. With time, it may just worm its way into your heart.
The subsequent tracks on the album come across as more of a throwback to the ARIA anime, what with composer Mina Kubota’s efforts in “Aquamarine” and “Turquoise”, backed by Misteria Feo, a choir group. Kubota, who composed the ARIA opening themes “Undine”, “Euphoria”, and “Spirale”, imparts her dreamy aural style onto both tracks.
“Aquamarine’s” muffled, serene instrumentals and humming vocals make you feel like you’re exploring a calm, underwater paradise. The choral lilts near the middle of the piece are akin to one’s heart skipping a beat at the sight of a wonderful discovery and the ensuing warmth captures the joy of the resulting shared experience that’s rendered permanent in your memories. “Turquoise” takes on a slightly different tack in that Misteria Feo’s opener evokes a lonely siren song instead of “Aquamrine’s” feeling of togetherness. Though the backup vocals’ angelic tone carries with it a magical air, I prefer “Aquamarine’s” atmosphere much more.
In spite of that, both pieces are nice additions to the album. Although “Futari Shoujo” is the album’s mainstay, Kubota’s contributions are what allow Amachu‘s sentiments of suteki-ness to linger.
Verdict: Very Good
Amanchu! ED Single – Futari Shoujo
[audio: 01 – Futari Shoujo.mp3]