Opening Song :Gurenge - Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer)
Gurenge (紅蓮華) is the first opening song to Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba anime performed by LiSA. Digitally released on April 22, 2019 followed by a physical release on July 3, 2019. Gurenge translates into Crimson Lotus Flower, it is an upbeat rock song about obtaining a reason to become stronger. Reading the manga when creating the lyrics, combined her artistic world view with the series. The song was composed by Kayoko Kusano and arranged by Ryo Eguchi. After the day of release of the song on all the major digital music platforms, the song made it into 38 separate Daily Single charts and has reached more than 300,000 downloads.
Collaborating with FictionJunction performed From the Edge released on September 1, 2019 for the ending theme to Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer). Closing the year in December 11, 2019 she released her Single Unlasting for the third ending theme to Sword Art Online: Alicization.
Lyrics
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 強くなれる理由を知った | I learned the reason to become strong |
| 僕を連れて 進め | Take me and go |
| 泥だらけの走馬灯に酔う | I feel dizzy by the muddy flashback |
| 強張る心 震える手は | Heart tenses, hands shake |
| 掴みたいものがある | That means you have something you want to grab hold of |
| それだけさ | That’s all |
| 夜の匂いに (I'll spend all thirty nights) | The scent of night (I’ll spend all thirty nights) |
| 空睨んでも (Staring into the sky) | Even if I stare at the sky (Staring into the sky) |
| 変わっていけるのは自分自身だけ | The only thing you can change is yourself |
| それだけさ | That’s all |
| 強くなれる理由を知った | I learned the reason to become strong |
| 僕を連れて 進め | Take me and go |
| どうしたって! | An unstoppable “now” |
| 消せない夢も 止まれない今も | Dreams that you can’t erase no matter what |
| 誰かのために強くなれるなら | If you can become stronger for someone |
| 何度でも立ち上がれ | Get up again and again |
| 世界に打ちのめされて 負ける意味を知った | I learned why I lost when I was beaten up by the world |
| 紅蓮の華よ 咲き誇れ | Bloom, crimson lotus |
| 運命を照らして | Shine the fate |
Interpretation
Gurenge is about a flower that struggles to blossom despite the adversities in nature. The crimson hue of the lotus is connected with life. Instead of forgetting your past or ignoring your weaknesses, it is better to gain confidence to become stronger. Through overcoming hardship, people are able to shine more beautifully than a gem like a crimson red lotus.
Gurenge Reception
Gurenge was released on April 22 on all the major digital music platforms. Soon after release the song made it into 38 separate Daily Single charts. The Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) series and the opening song have become instant hits worldwide. Animer series and music fans have been quick to create their own voice, piano, guitar covers. The song has reached 300,000 downloads and topped more than 6 Million views on YouTube resulting in a very positive reception from fans. On the first live performance of the song in a two day performance at Yokohama Arena, she revealed the song to 26,000 to an area that was completely sold out.
About LiSA
Risa Oribe (織部 里沙) was born in Gifu Prefecture, Japan on June 24, 1987. Also known as LiSA, is a songwriter, singer, and lyricist. Her stage name is an acronym stands for Love is Same All, the same name as the band she formed in Tokyo. One of her theme phrases and also the name of her blog is “今日もいい日だっ” which means "Another Great Day". Releasing hit after hits and making an impact in the anime industry. LiSA is well known for her singles in the Angel Beats, Fate/Zero, Sword Art Online, and Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) franchise
Influences
LiSA credits western rock music as her musical influences such as but not limited to Avril Lavigne, Oasis, Green Day, Paramore, and Rihanna. Her musical style is beautiful vocals with the adaptability to create upbeat happy to darker style tones. When writing Oath Sign, she felt the dark heavy style would be too different from her usual style but was able to receive a favorable reception. Providing her the confidence to make Crossing Fields soon after.
Other Music Works
Commemorating her fifth year as a solo artist, she released her Letters To U as a limited edition package on March 23, 2016. Used as the opening themes to 2016 anime series Qualidea Code was Brave Freak Out and AxxxiS. Anime Film Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale she used the theme song Catch the Moment that was also released as a single. In April 2017, LiSA moved to the Sacra Music record label under Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Releasing her fourth studio album Little Devil parade on May 24 the same year. Datte Atashi no Hero released August 2, 2017 was used as the second ending theme to My Hero Academia. Ash also released 2017th of October first used as the second opening to theme to the anime Fate/Apocrypha. She performed Thrill, Risk, Heartless as the theme to the video game Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet, and the song Adamas released December 12, 2018 was used in the first opening theme of Sword Art Online: Alicization.
Links
LiSA Official Website
LiSA Official Twitter
LiSA Personal Blog
LiSA Sony Music Page
LiSA Natalie Music Blog