Karma (Kokia song)
Encyclopedia
"Karma" is a song by Kokia
, released as her 20th single on April 22, 2009. It was used as the first opening theme song for the anime Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom, and would later feature in an edited version on the anime's soundtrack. Her song "Transparent" would be used as the second ending theme song for the same anime.
The song was covered on the album Exit Trance
Presents Speed Anime Trance Best 8 by MK feat. R. Cena, later in November 2009.
and Akiko Infinity Kokia: Balance
. The single was her first release through anime retailer Lantis
, as opposed to her usual release label Victor Entertainment
. Kokia had released game/anime theme songs on a different label twice in her career: once through Victor Entertainment
in 1998 while she was still signed to Pony Canyon
("Ai no Field" for anime Brain Powerd
) and once through Marvelous Entertainment in 2008 ("Tatta Hitotsu no Omoi
" for Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino).
Kokia had sung many songs for anime in the past. This was the third time her music had been used as an opening theme, after "Chōwa Oto (With Reflection)" in 2006 for the film Origin: Spirits of the Past, and "Tatta Hitotsu no Omoi" for Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino.
and Akiko Infinity Kokia: Balance
. The song was recorded with a 4422 string section, a type of string arrangement featuring four lead violinists, four secondary vilionists, two viola players and two cellists. The song has Kokia's vocals layered twelve times to create the background vocals. The single's B-side "Insonnia" is was recorded by Kokia on March 24.
Both songs were recorded in collaboration with veteran anime arranger Masumi Itō
, under the stage name Hikaru Nanase. "Karma" was arranged in collaboration with Kokia, however Kokia created "Insonnia" around a background instrumental piece supplied to her by Itō.
song. It begins with Kokia's vocals in chorus with themselves, backed with synthesiser
sounds, harp and a string section. As the chorus begins, layers of strings and percussion are added. Only two choruses are present in the song, with the other sections composed of either extended instrumentals, a central refrain and the initial verse repeated. After the first chorus, the majority of strings and percussion cease, except for the refrain, which uses the instrumental style from the chorus. The sections without a vocal lead mostly feature Kokia singing softly with non-lyrical sounds, however some sections are centred around the string section only. The end of the song features an extended version of the introduction, however with minimal vocals from Kokia. Kokia described the song as "a wonderful orchestra-lead melody, with a somehow suspicious atmosphere."
The lyrics describe somebody on their deathbed considering the concept of karma
in terms of fate. The protagonist of the song asks "how many times have I fallen into a cycle of the same things," noting how their heart always leads back to the same things when perusing such memories. They describe life to be a spiral, where rebirth is "continued loitering." The lyrics talk about how in the future the person will not be able to remember this moment of clarity when they escaped the "wasteland of oblivion."
The B-side "Insonnia" is an Italian language
lullaby
. It is backed by synthesised harp sounds, piano and atmospheric synths. Kokia attempted to create a "feeling of being inside of a lasting dream" through the lyrics and melody of the song. The lyrics ask simple questions about where the dreamer is, noting that the person is still dreaming, and how they wait for someone who has not come yet. This is the second time Kokia has recorded a song in Italian, after "Il Mare dei Suoni" from her album The Voice
in 2007.
Kokia (singer)
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, who performs under the stage name Kokia . She is best known for her songs and "The Power of Smile." She is also recognised for her numerous contributions to anime/game soundtracks, the most notable being "Ai no Melody/Chōwa Oto " for the film...
, released as her 20th single on April 22, 2009. It was used as the first opening theme song for the anime Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom, and would later feature in an edited version on the anime's soundtrack. Her song "Transparent" would be used as the second ending theme song for the same anime.
The song was covered on the album Exit Trance
Exit Trance
Exit Trance is a compilation series released in Japan specializing in the Japanese J-Trance genre, a niche sub genre of J-Pop. The most prominent influence of J-Trance is to be found in Trance added to this are elements from Rave, Drum and bass and Speed core....
Presents Speed Anime Trance Best 8 by MK feat. R. Cena, later in November 2009.
Background
"Karma" was released only a month after Kokia's 9th and 10th studio albums Kokia Infinity Akiko: BalanceKokia Infinity Akiko: Balance
Kokia Infinity Akiko: Balance is Kokia's ninth equal studio album, released simultaneously with Akiko Infinity Kokia: Balance in March 2009....
and Akiko Infinity Kokia: Balance
Akiko Infinity Kokia: Balance
-Personnel:* Takeshi Arai – guitar * Katsuhiko "Chara" Asano – mixing engineer * Toshihiko Fujimi – publicist* Takashi Furuta – drums * Yuya Haraguchi – acoustic/electric guitars...
. The single was her first release through anime retailer Lantis
Lantis (company)
is a Japanese company that specializes as a music publisher label for Japanese musicians, anime soundtracks and video game soundtracks. It was established on November 26, 1999, and in May 2006, it was bought by, and became a subsidiary of, Bandai Visual...
, as opposed to her usual release label Victor Entertainment
Victor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
. Kokia had released game/anime theme songs on a different label twice in her career: once through Victor Entertainment
Victor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
in 1998 while she was still signed to Pony Canyon
Pony Canyon
is a Japanese company, established on October 1, 1966 , which publishes music, DVD and VHS videos, movies and video games. It is a subsidiary of Japanese Media Group, Fujisankei Communications Group.-History:...
("Ai no Field" for anime Brain Powerd
Brain Powerd
is a Japanese anime television series created by Sunrise. The series is set on a future, decimated Earth after the discovery of a mysterious, alien spacecraft dubbed "Orphan". A group of researchers scour the planet for Orphan's disc plates using mecha called "Antibodies" in order to revive the...
) and once through Marvelous Entertainment in 2008 ("Tatta Hitotsu no Omoi
Tatta Hitotsu no Omoi
is a song by Kokia, released as her 19th single on November 21, 2007, a month before her sixth studio album The Voice . The song was used as the opening theme song for the anime Gunslinger Girl's second series, Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino...
" for Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino).
Kokia had sung many songs for anime in the past. This was the third time her music had been used as an opening theme, after "Chōwa Oto (With Reflection)" in 2006 for the film Origin: Spirits of the Past, and "Tatta Hitotsu no Omoi" for Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino.
Recording
"Karma" was recorded in January 2010, while Kokia was recording Kokia Infinity Akiko: BalanceKokia Infinity Akiko: Balance
Kokia Infinity Akiko: Balance is Kokia's ninth equal studio album, released simultaneously with Akiko Infinity Kokia: Balance in March 2009....
and Akiko Infinity Kokia: Balance
Akiko Infinity Kokia: Balance
-Personnel:* Takeshi Arai – guitar * Katsuhiko "Chara" Asano – mixing engineer * Toshihiko Fujimi – publicist* Takashi Furuta – drums * Yuya Haraguchi – acoustic/electric guitars...
. The song was recorded with a 4422 string section, a type of string arrangement featuring four lead violinists, four secondary vilionists, two viola players and two cellists. The song has Kokia's vocals layered twelve times to create the background vocals. The single's B-side "Insonnia" is was recorded by Kokia on March 24.
Both songs were recorded in collaboration with veteran anime arranger Masumi Itō
Masumi Ito
born May 21, is a Japanese singer and composer from Ibaraki prefecture in Japan. Itō has composed the soundtracks to many anime television shows and is part of the bands Oranges & Lemons and Heart of Air.- Singles :...
, under the stage name Hikaru Nanase. "Karma" was arranged in collaboration with Kokia, however Kokia created "Insonnia" around a background instrumental piece supplied to her by Itō.
Composition
"Karma" is a mid-tempo atmospheric neoclassical (dark wave)Neoclassical (Dark Wave)
Neoclassical Dark Wave refers to a music genre within the Dark Wave movement. It is characterized by the use of ethereal atmosphere and angelic female voices but also adds strong influences from classical music. Neoclassical Dark Wave is distinct from the academic art music form known as...
song. It begins with Kokia's vocals in chorus with themselves, backed with synthesiser
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
sounds, harp and a string section. As the chorus begins, layers of strings and percussion are added. Only two choruses are present in the song, with the other sections composed of either extended instrumentals, a central refrain and the initial verse repeated. After the first chorus, the majority of strings and percussion cease, except for the refrain, which uses the instrumental style from the chorus. The sections without a vocal lead mostly feature Kokia singing softly with non-lyrical sounds, however some sections are centred around the string section only. The end of the song features an extended version of the introduction, however with minimal vocals from Kokia. Kokia described the song as "a wonderful orchestra-lead melody, with a somehow suspicious atmosphere."
The lyrics describe somebody on their deathbed considering the concept of karma
Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
in terms of fate. The protagonist of the song asks "how many times have I fallen into a cycle of the same things," noting how their heart always leads back to the same things when perusing such memories. They describe life to be a spiral, where rebirth is "continued loitering." The lyrics talk about how in the future the person will not be able to remember this moment of clarity when they escaped the "wasteland of oblivion."
The B-side "Insonnia" is an Italian language
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
lullaby
Lullaby
A lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
. It is backed by synthesised harp sounds, piano and atmospheric synths. Kokia attempted to create a "feeling of being inside of a lasting dream" through the lyrics and melody of the song. The lyrics ask simple questions about where the dreamer is, noting that the person is still dreaming, and how they wait for someone who has not come yet. This is the second time Kokia has recorded a song in Italian, after "Il Mare dei Suoni" from her album The Voice
The Voice (Kokia album)
The Voice is Kokia's sixth studio album, released in February 2008. It is the first of four album releases in 2008 celebrating her 10th anniversary as a singer....
in 2007.
Chart reception
The song debuted at #29 on Oricon's daily singles chart, staying for much of the week in the top 30. It dropped out of the top 50 after five days. In its first week, the single peaked at #45, selling 2,300 copies. The single spent a further week in the top 100 at #71, and two more weeks between 100 and 200 (at #101 and #127 respectively). In its total four week run, the single sold a 4,300 copies.Track listing
Japan Sales Rankings
| Release | Chart | Peak Position | First Week Sales | Sales Total | Chart Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon daily singles chart | 29 | ||||
| Oricon weekly singles chart | 45 | 2,400 | 4,300 | 4 weeks | |
| Oricon yearly singles chart |
Personnel
- Shigeyuki Hirano - producer (Anco&co)
- Shunji Inoue - executive producer
- Yoshiyuki Ito - producer
- Ayumi Kamo - digital work
- Kokia - chorus vocalist, songwriter, vocalist
- Makiko Kojima - cover illustration retoucher
- Hikaru NanaseMasumi Itoborn May 21, is a Japanese singer and composer from Ibaraki prefecture in Japan. Itō has composed the soundtracks to many anime television shows and is part of the bands Oranges & Lemons and Heart of Air.- Singles :...
- arranger - Eiichi Nishizawa - engineer
- OverDriveDesign - art direction, single jacket cover design
- Yūko Sakayori - cover jacket coordination
- Mutsumi SasakiMutsumi Sasakiis a male Japanese freelance anime/manga artist from Hokkaidō, Japan. He mainly provides character designs for bishōjo characters.-Works:Character design*Happy Lesson*Futakoi*Memories Off*Memories Off 2nd*Myself ; Yourself*Chaos;Head...
- cover illustration original mangaMangaManga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
artist