Today, as I was traveling on the train, listening to the Sola soundtrack, I realised that my previous post made almost no mention of the music!! Let me try again and now that I’m up to episode 11, I have a much better view/feel of this anime…

First of all, I forgot to mention that the opening of the anime starts of with a very serene and angelic song. It is only used for episode 1 and does not appear again until episode 9 (I think). It is well suited for the anime as it parallels well with the focus on the sky and clouds. Very peaceful and calm.

The opening and the song itself actually reminds me of the Japanese drama, Song to the Sun. Maybe it’s because the characters in both works meet each other at night…and because of that, there is a gentle streak of sadness in this anime. Let me expand. 

Matsuri is not human – she is known as a ‘yaka’ – a being that it able to heal itself, therefore never dies and never ages. Technically it can die but it will have to be something very lethal. Her age is probably in the hundreds. Yakas have special powers too. In Matsuri’s case, she has the ability to decay an object. However, they also have a weakness – they cannot step into the sun or will otherwise burn. They live in darkness (that’s why this reminds me a little of Song to the Sun). As she never dies, she has developed a ‘don’t care less’, flippant kind of character. It’s the way she’s grown to survive, otherwise “it will be too painful for her”. Basically, yakas live a lonely life.

I think given this overlay of ’sadness’, I’ve gradually grown to fall for Sola…very gently, quietly and almost unknowingly. It was only until I was listening to one of the tracks on the train that I felt like I was back in the world of Sola. Scenes of Matsuri and Yorito came up as I listened to the song. The best part of the song is when the strings step in, in the latter half…the swelling of emotions! Love it! I liked the song so much that once I got home, I logged on to find the lyrics.

Below is a combination of some English lyrics I found online and two sets of Chinese lyrics. I tend to think that Chinese translations are usually a little bit more accurate due to the nature of the two languages. I’ve tried my best to put together what makes sense. If something is wrong, please tell me! You can listen to it here.

敏感な風景 Sensitive scenery

These soft waves gradually take me away

Quietly, quietly…

Even if I disappear now, it doesn’t matter

My remaining feelings, where should they go?

Ah…they lose their colours

The wakening of dawn

Shines down its rays of light

Gently, gently

It falls upon my heart

If possible

If those same feelings, could carry on

No-one would know…

Until the sun rises

Quietly, quietly

I can feel a  premonition

My heart, can feel a premonition

 

I can’t quite work out the final words of the lyrics. I’ve read the Chinese and English versions a number of times but neither makes a great deal of sense. I think it is basically implying that there is hope in the future that they will be together again…(haha maybe that’s what I’m just hoping it means!!) If someone can help me out then that will be great!!