A Time Capsule Containing the "Air of the 80's" - Review of the CD "Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel: 80's J-POP Hits" [Ryozo Fuwa's "Anime no otto" Vol.14].

Anime no otto" is a disc-guide series that introduces anime songs and accompanying music that were created during the dawn and development of anime. In this 14th issue, we focus on the CD "Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel: 80's J-POP Hits" released by Tokuma Japan Communications on July 26, 2023. (Titles below are omitted.)

Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel" is a TV animation series that aired on Nippon Television from 1983 to 1984. The animation was produced by Studio Pierrot (now Pierrot), an up-and-coming production company that had gained attention for "Nils no Fushigi na Tabi" (1980) and "Urusei Yatsura" (1981). The voice of the main character, Yu Morisawa/Creamy Mami, was voiced by Takako Ota, a 15-year-old idol at the time, and the theme song "Delicately Like It" became the debut single song of the series. The series was originally scheduled to run for 26 episodes (six months), but was extended to 52 episodes (one year), and four OVAs were produced after the broadcast ended. Following "Mami," "Magical Fairy Persia" (1984), "Magical Star Magical Emi" (1985), and "Magical Idol Pastel Yumi" (1986) were developed into a series that became known as the "Pierrot Magical Girl Series," creating a movement that symbolized the 80s anime genre. The series was called the "Piero Magical Girl Series" and became a symbol of the 80's anime movement.

The CD "Creamy Mami, Magical Angel: 80's J-POP Hits," released to commemorate the 40th anniversary of "Creamy Mami, Magical Angel," contains mainly J-POP hits from the 1980s, while also including "Mami" related songs. It is a J-POP cover album featuring Takako Ota, who played Mami in the show, as well as guests such as Saeko Shimazu, Kazuhiko Inoue, and Yutaka Mizushima, who played the other characters in the show, and other splendid voice actors. This CD is a novel approach, not seen in previous anime song albums, to recreate the atmosphere of the 80s idol/J-POP world that surrounded the show by including not only new versions of songs related to the show but also hit songs from that era. Let's take a look at the contents of the CD, including an overview of the original songs.

Check Point / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Check Point" (lyrics by Etsuko Raisei, music by Kyouhei Tsutsumi, arrangement by Hiroshi Shinkawa) is the theme song for the drama "Natsu/Kiken Monogatari 2" (1986). It was a song by Kazuko Fujii, who starred in the drama and this song was also her debut single, and like "Mami," it was a record released by Tokuma. Like the dramas "Maido osawasemasu" (1985) and "Natsu, kiken monogatari" (1985), both of which starred Miho Nakayama, the drama was notable for its theme of adolescent sexuality, and the lyrics also contain this atmosphere. Therefore, many people may reflexively feel somewhat bewildered when listening to this song.

Nancy in Summer Colors / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Nancy in Summer Colors" (lyrics by Tokuko Miura, music by Kyouhei Tsutsumi, arrangement by Yutaka Mogi) is the fifth single by Yu Hayami, released in 1983. Many people may remember it as the commercial song for Coca-Cola, in which she appears. The arranger, Mogi Yutaka, is a former member of the progressive rock band "Four Musicians. He has been famous since early on for his techno-pop sound that makes full use of synthesizers, and some of the songs from his original album were quoted in the anime "Urusei Yatsura," so he has a slight connection with Pierrot.

3. "Tears Are Not Decorations" by Megumi Ayase (Saeko Shimazu)

Tears Are Not Decorations" (lyrics by Yosui Inoue, arrangement by Mitsuo Hagita) is Akina Nakamori's 10th single, released in 1984. The song was the final nail in the coffin of Akina Nakamori's career, which up to that point had been a series of singles that went back and forth between the purity line and the delinquent line, and it was also a breakthrough song that marked her departure from being an idol and her further growth as a vocalist. The verses and melody of the brilliant Yosui Inoue supported this important turning point. Saeko Shimazu, who played Megumi Ayase, Mami's rival, sang this difficult song beautifully.

4. "Tears take a chance" by Toshio Otomo (Yutaka Mizushima)

Tears take a chance" (lyrics by Toyohisa Araki, music by Kuniko Fukushima, arrangement by Masami Koizumi) was released in 1984. It is the fourth single by Shingo Kazami (now Shingo Kazami), who was an idol favorite on the variety show "Kin-chan no Shukan Kin-yohi" (1982-1985). Kazami taught himself breakdancing, which had not yet been taught by a domestic expert, and his enthusiasm for spreading breakdancing among Japanese people through a single song was so great that he had to cancel the planned song and replace it with a breakdance-oriented sound at a moment's notice. Yutaka Mizushima, who sings this song, is one of the earliest "singing voice-over idols," having already released a series of albums since 1979.

5. love casually (acoustic ver.) / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

LOVE SARIGETSU (lyrics by Tokuko Miura, music by Yuichiro Oda, arrangement by Masatoshi Nishimura) is the closing song of the anime "Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel. This time, it is recorded in a bossa nova style acoustic arrangement. Tokuko Miura and Yuichiro Oda are a hit duo who had attracted attention with Seiko Matsuda's "Blue Coral Reef" and Anri's "CAT'S EYE. This lineup clearly shows the seriousness of the "Mami" music production system.

6. "Lonesome Tropical Fish" by Creamy Mami and Megumi Ayase (Takako Ota and Saeko Shimazu)

Lonesome Tropical Fish" (lyrics by Oikawa Namiko, music by Ozeki Masaya, arrangement by Funayama Motonori) is Wink's 5th single and a big hit that won the Japan Record Award in 1989. It is also the career work of lyricist Neko Oikawa, who later wrote "Gutai na Tenshi no Thesis," the theme song for the TV anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion" (1995). To hear this song as a duet by Mami & Megumi Ayase was like the realization of a dream for the viewers of that time. We are very grateful to them for choosing this song!

7. "C" / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

C" (lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto, music by Kyouhei Tsutumi, arrangement by Mitsuo Hagita) is the 1985 debut single by Miho Nakayama, who had already gained explosive popularity as an actress in the aforementioned drama "Every time I'm sorry," and was ready to release it. Takashi Matsumoto, who had seen the drama, volunteered to write the lyrics for her debut song and went directly to Nakayama's staff. She was so in love with the song that she even asked Kyohei Tsutumi to compose the lyrics himself. Takako Ota's current singing voice is very close to the nuance of Miho Nakayama's at the time, making this a highly accomplished cover.

8. Embraced by a Withering Trees / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Embraced by a Withering Tree" (lyrics and music by Toshihiko Takamizawa, arrangement by Kan Inoue) is the 20th single by Kyoko Koizumi, released in 1986. It is also the theme song for the movie "Boku no Onna ni Tame ni Nai" (Don't Touch My Woman), in which Koizumi starred. It is the third single that Toshihiko Takamizawa of ALFEE (now THE ALFEE), who had his breakthrough with "Mary Ann" and "Hoshizora no Distance," provided Koizumi with following "The Stardust Memory" and "Heartbreaker.

9. BIN♥KAN Rouge (DJ Guai-City Night MIX) / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

BIN♥KAN Rouge" (lyrics by Yuho Iwasato, music by Toshio Kamei, arrangement by Masaki Iwamoto) is the A-side song of Takako Ota's second single, an insert song for the anime "Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel," released just two months after "Delicate Like. It is also an early work by lyricist Yuho Iwasato, who would later play a major role in creating the unique musical world of Miki Imai and Maaya Sakamoto.

10. and I'm at a loss / Shingo Tachibana (Kazuhiko Inoue)

And I'm at a loss" (lyrics by Natsuo Ginshiro, music by Masayuki Osawa, arrangement by Masao Omura) is the fifth single by Masayuki Osawa, released in 1984. It was also used as a commercial song for Nissin Cup Noodles. Arranger Masaro Omura also arranged "Delicately Like It" and "In My Pajamas. There are many similarities with this song, such as the synth sound that gives a sense of spatial expansion. Kazuhiko Inoue, who plays Shingo Tachibana, like the aforementioned Yutaka Mizushima, is a leading "singing voice actor" who has released many singles since the early 1980s. His vocals are as good as you would expect from him.

Dancing Hero (Eat You Up) / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Dancing Hero (Eat You Up)" (translation by Hitoshi Shinohara, music by A.Kyte and T.Baker, arrangement by Koji Magaino) is Yoko Oginome's seventh single, released in 1985. It was a big hit as a Japanese cover of the disco hit "Eat You Up" by British singer Angie Gold.Around 2017, the song gained renewed attention due to the online video "Bubbly Dance" by the dance club of Osaka Prefectural Tomigaoka High School, making it seem like a representative song of the bubble era However, the actual hit of "Dancing Hero" was a little earlier, rather close to the time when "Mami" was broadcast.

Akai sweet pea / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Akai sweet pea" (lyrics by Matsumoto Takashi, music by Kureta Karuho, arrangement by Matsutoya Masataka) is Seiko Matsuda's eighth single, released in 1982. It is widely known as a masterpiece that broke new ground for Seiko Matsuda, with its restrained melody that does not rely on the impact of high notes, and also coincides with the period when she stopped wearing the "Seiko cut. Many fans may find Mami's challenge to this simple and therefore difficult song and the fact that she sings it so softly so well is a very moving experience.

13. Delicately Like It (DJ Guai-GROOVE MIX) / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Delicately Like It" (lyrics and music by Yoshiaki Furuta, arrangement by Masao Omura) is the unexplained opening theme for the anime "Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel. Yoshiaki Furuta, who wrote the lyrics and composed the music, first gained attention in 1981 with the hit song "Wedding Bells," which he provided to Sugar. Since then, he has also composed "Tokimeki Tonight" (1982) OP theme, "Tokimeki Tonight," "OKAWARI-BOY Starzan S" (1984) OP theme, "SHOW ME YOUR SPACE～Show Me Your Universe～", the OP theme of "OKAWARI-BOY Starzan S" (1984), and "Memoru of the Tongari Hat" (1984), the OP theme of "Memoru of the Tongari Hat", and many other fantastic, spacey, dreamy, "80's anime songs" were created. The song "Delicately Like It", which was made more attractive by the collaboration with the famous arranger Masao Omura, is a perfect example of such a song.

Creamy Mami and Megumi Ayase (Takako Ota and Saeko Shimazu)

I Don't Know!" (lyrics by Yukinojo Mori, arrangement by Hideya Nakasaki and Takuo Sugiyama) was the second single released by BaBe in 1987, following their hit first single "Give Me Up," a cover of Michael Fortunati's Eurobeat Hits. This song was BaBe's second single in 1987. This song won BaBe the 1987 Japan Record Award for Best New Artist, and it was a perfect choice to hear Mami & Megumi on the same song as Wink and BaBe.

15. Believe Again / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Believe Again" (lyrics by Keiko Aso, music by Hideya Nakasaki, arrangement by Mitsuo Hagita) is the ninth single by Yui Asaka, released in 1988. Many people may listen to this song with special feelings, as it was the theme song for the movie "Skeban Kantei: The Three Kazama Sisters Strike Back," which concluded the "Skeban Kantei" drama series that had continued for about three years with Yuki Saito, Yoko Minamino, and Asaka. The moment this song by Mami starts to play at the end of the album, you will feel as if the wind of the 80s has really blown in, and it will make you feel a rush of excitement.

*Track.16 is a dialogue message between Yu and Toshio (Takako Ota & Yutaka Mizushima), and Track.17 is a short version of "LOVE casually" sung by Creamy Mami (Takako Ota) with piano accompaniment only.

A cover album is often associated with the image of a "light project," but it is not so easy to cover a classic song that has been imbued with the deep feelings of the listener. In order to meet the expectations of the fans of the time, a careful selection of songs, a balance between the original style and modern arrangement, and above all, a deep love for the artists and songs are required. ...... It is a musical product that requires a much higher level of imagination and precision in music production than you might think.

And this CD "Creamy Mami, Magical Angel: 80's J-POP Hits" is a commemorative product for the 40th anniversary of the birth of "Creamy Mami, Magical Angel". I applaud the challenge of not only newly arranging and recording the theme songs and insert songs of the time, but also creating a time capsule that encapsulates the "80's atmosphere" that surrounded "Creamy Mami". As you listen to this CD, songs, idols, and singers that shine brightly in the 80's will appear one after another in your mind, and you will realize that Yu Morisawa/Creamy Mami was certainly living in the same era.

Product Information

CD "Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel: 80's J-POP Hits

Now on sale

Price: 3,000 yen (tax included)

Available from: Tokuma Japan Communications Co.

Included in the album

Check Point / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Nancy in Summer Color / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Tears are not decoration / Megumi Ayase (Saeko Shimazu)

Tears take a chance / Toshio Otomo (Yutaka Mizushima)

5. love casually (acoustic ver.) / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

6. lonely tropical fish / Creamy Mami & Megumi Ayase (Takako Ota & Saeko Shimazu)

C" / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Embraced by a Withering Trees / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

BIN♥KAN Rouge (DJ Guai-City Night MIX) / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

10. and I'm at a loss / Shingo Tachibana (Kazuhiko Inoue)

Dancing Hero (Eat You Up) / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

12. red sweet pea / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

Delicately Like It (DJ Guai-GROOVE MIX) / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

I Don't Know! / Creamy Mami & Megumi Ayase (Takako Ota & Saeko Shimazu)

Believe Again / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)

16.Message from Yu and Toshio (Takako Ota & Yutaka Mizushima) *Line only

17. love casually (piano short ver.) / Creamy Mami (Takako Ota)