CD "Nobody should forget courage - everything important was taught by Yuu Aku" by lyrics maestro Yuu Aku [Ryozo Fuwa's "Anime no otto" Vol.03

In this third installment of "Anime No Otto," we focus on the CD "Nobody Should Forget Courage: Everything That Matters Was Taught to Me by Yuu Aku," which went on sale on December 19, 2018. This CD is a 2-CD set of 50 songs compiled from the vast amount of work left behind by the famous lyricist Aku Yu, who sadly passed away in August 2007. The songs include TV theme songs for anime and special effects, radio and movie theme songs, newly composed children's songs, and other songs mainly for children. The album is a compilation album of 50 songs. At the same time, it is also a long-awaited song collection for fans seeking rare ani-songs, with 12 of the 50 songs being released on CD for the first time.

The title of the CD, "Nobody Should Forget Courage," is a line from the theme song of the tokusatsu hero program "Ultraman Leo" broadcast in 1974, written by Yuu Aku. At that time, the "doomsday boom" triggered by Tsutomu Goto's book "The Great Prophecy of Nostradamus" published in 1973 was casting a dark shadow over children's images of the "future" after the huge success of the novel and movie "The Sinking of Japan" (1973). The gloomy atmosphere and mood of pessimistic resignation at that time was even depicted in the manga/anime "Chibimaruko-chan. In 1974, the aftermath reached the Ultra series. The phrases "the end of the earth," "someone's prophecy," and "something's coming to an end" woven into the theme song of "Ultraman Leo" confirm that this work was right at the forefront of the apocalyptic boom, and that Yuu Aku was certainly aware of this trend. Furthermore, the first episode, which begins in a desperate situation in which Tokyo is about to be submerged in a massive tsunami and Ultra Seven is defeated, radiates a ghoulish intensity sufficient to evoke a sense of "the end of the world.

However, Aku Yu gives us a ray of hope. It was a single phrase, "No one should forget courage. It is not simply, "Ultraman Leo will save you," but rather, "You yourself must do something to open the way to the future. ...... It not only stirs up a sense of crisis and despair, but also blows away the dark clouds hanging over children's heads with a positive message and inspires courage. ...... The words that Yuu Aku put into the theme song had such a strong power. Forty-five years have passed since then, and the children who casually watched TV back then are now adults, and looking back, they realize that they have learned many important things from Aku Yu's lyrics. This CD, a collection of such songs, is entitled "A collection of music to reconsider the messages for the future from the songs written by the iconic lyricist of the Showa era, Aku Yu, as the Heisei era is drawing to a close.

The CD contains a variety of opening, ending, and insert songs from programs such as "Ultraman Leo," "Devilman" (1972), "Fireman" (1973), "Ultraman Taro" (1973), "Super Robot Red Baron" (1973), and "Space Battleship Yamato" (1974), as well as "Ultraman Leo" (1972). (1974), and "Space Battleship Yamato" (1974). Looking back, we can clearly see that the number of anime and special effects songs written by Aku Yu increased explosively between 1972 and 1974. It is also important to note that within this short period of time, Yuu Aku's lyrical world has made great progress. In his early "Devilman Songs," the lyrics are written in the familiar style of carefully explaining the origin, circumstances, and weapons of the Devilman hero, a method also used in the theme songs of the Kamen Rider tokusatsu TV show of the same era. Gradually, however, the lyrics begin to include the question, "What will you do? as mentioned in "Ultraman Leo" above. The best example of this is the theme song "Mach Baron" from 1974's "Super Robot Mach Baron. For children who experienced the show at the time, the word "overrun" is etched in their minds as a strong memory. The lyrics of the first half of the song, including the choice of this word, which is unthinkable for the theme song of a children's TV show, strongly asks children, "What would you do against the domination of evil? The first half of the song, including the choice of this word, is a strong question to the children, "What would you do against the domination of evil? Along with "Ultraman Leo," the world of the lyrics of "Mach Baron" symbolizes the theme of this CD, "a collection of music to reconsider the message of Aku Yu. The process of the explosion and enrichment of Yuu Aku's children's songs toward 1974 is explained in detail in the liner note "Introduction to the Study of Yuu Aku and Children's Songs," by Yasuo Akihiro, who planned, supervised, and commented on this CD.

The CD also includes many children's songs other than anime and tokusatsu theme songs, including "Toppo Gijo no One-Two Kazoe Uta" (1966), the A-side debut of Yuu Aku on his single disc. From the start of his songwriting career, it is clear that he already had a strong connection with children's songs. Also in 1971, "Ping Pong Pang Gymnastics" was an unprecedented hit, selling approximately 2.6 million copies, and won the Children's Song Award at the 14th Japan Record Awards at the end of 1972. The previous year, in 1971, Aku Yu had won the Grand Prize for "Till We Meet Again" by Kisehiko Ozaki, and the following year he won the Children's Song Award. ...... This fact alone seems to give us a glimpse into the breadth and scope of his talent and his seriousness about children's songs.

He has been featured in NHK's "Okaasan to totsyo" and "Minna no uta," Fuji Television's "Mama to asobu no mama to asobu no uta," "Ping pong bread," and "Hirahara hirahirahirahirahirahirahirahirahirahirahirahirahirahirah! Ping Pong Pang" and "Hirake! Ponkicki" and other hit children's songs created by NHK's "Okaaasyo," "Minna no Uta," and Fuji Television's "Mama Mama Asobu! Another important point is the participation of regular Columbia animation song singers such as Mitsuko Horie, Ichiro Mizuki, Yoko Maekawa, Kaori Mikiko, and Kororogi '73. In establishing the label, Aku Yu said of his ambition, "I think it is important for adults themselves to seek the joy of laughing, crying, and running around without the presumption of doing so for the sake of children. (1977) and Pink Lady's "UFO" (1978), he was on the verge of achieving the unprecedented feat of winning the Japan Record Award for three consecutive years. The fact that he established a label specializing in children's songs during this period, which must have been the busiest of his entire career, is of great significance. It was not by chance that a popular lyricist was asked to write theme songs for anime and special effects films, but rather that Aku Yu himself was overflowing with passion for children's songs. ...... These songs are proof of that.

From the perspective of anime song soundtrack fans, the first CD release of songs related to the movie "Belladonna of Sadness" (1973), the anime "The Prince of the Stars: Petit Prince" (1978), the movie "Igano Hippomaru" (1983), and the movie "Odin: Mitsuko Sailing Ship Starlight" (1985) are all a joy. However, we would like you to return to the purpose of this project, which is "Yuu Aku taught me everything important," and listen to this disc as an opportunity to appreciate once more the severity and warmth of Aku's view of children and the world of his lyrics.

On January 17, an event to commemorate the release of this CD, "Nippon Columbia presents CD 'Nobody Should Forget Courage' Release Commemorative Talk Live 'Everything Important Was Taught by Yuu Aku,'" was held at ROCK CAFE LOFT is your room in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The CD was produced and supervised by Mr. Aku Yu, who is also the producer of the CD. The event, which was hosted by Yasuo Akihiro, who was in charge of planning, supervising, and commentary for the CD, and facilitated by the author, Fuwa, featured a talk session with Mr. Akihiro, who spoke about his passion while listening to songs selected by him from the CD, and explained his intentions in selecting the songs, the mystery behind the song order, and why the "Ousama Ranking" (written by Tokuso) on the jacket is so special. (created by TSUKASASASUKE) is used on the jacket of the album ....... Mr. Akihiro is a creator of video products, publications, CDs, and Blu-ray discs of the Ultra series and other tokusatsu heroes, and experienced the explosion and fulfillment period of Aku Yu from 1972 to 1974 when he was in his target generation of preschoolers and younger children. He also spoke for a full three hours about the vividness and weight of the messages contained in the Aku Yu children's songs of the Showa era, as only he could understand the history of his works and how they were accepted by each generation.

It is also noteworthy that this event was sponsored by Nippon Columbia, the CD release company. Talk events on ani-songs and soundtracks have become quite popular over the past decade or so, but it is rare that a record company itself organizes such an event. The production side itself will give a clear explanation of the contents of the CD, talk about the passion that went into the product, and answer fans' questions. It was a new style of event that we hope will be held on an ongoing basis in the future.

(Text by Ryozo Fuwa)

Product Information

CD "Nobody Should Forget Courage: Akyuu Taught Me Everything Important

Planning/Supervision/Commentary: Yasuo Akihiro

Jacket illustration by Tokkasosuke (from "Ousama Ranking")

Release date: December 19, 2018

Price: 3,200 yen (excluding tax)

Label: Nippon Columbia

Event Summary]

■Nippon Columbia presents

Talk live to commemorate the release of CD "Nobody Should Forget Courage

Aku Yu taught me all the important things."

Date: 2019/01/17 (Thursday) 19:30～

Place: ROCK CAFE LOFT is your room

Appearance: Yasuo Akihiro (Writer/Video Director), Ryozo Fuwa (Music Writer)

Hosted by: Nippon Columbia

Contents

＜DISC-1＞ 1.

Mach Baron / Yoshihiro Sugiura

NTV series "Super Robot Mach Baron

Fireman / Masato Shimon

NTV "Fireman

Red Baron / Kotaro Asa

NTV "Super Robot Red Baron

Ultraman Taro / Taro Takemura, Boys and Girls Chorus Mizoumi

TBS "Ultraman T

Pajamaman's Song / Kyoko Ishige, Tokyo Chibi Chorus

CX "Let's play with Mommy! Ping Pong Bun" (CX)

6.Wild Seven / Non-Stop

NTV drama "Wild 7

Devilman Songs / Keizo Tuda, Vocal Shop

NET series "Devilman

Ultraman Leo / Ryu Manatsu, Boys and Girls Chorus Mizuumi

TBS "Ultraman Leo

9. Seishun Marukajiri / Teru Kurosaki(Cooperation: Junya Takagi, Hiroyuki Sanada) *.

Movie "Igano Kabamaru

10.Ping Pong Pan Gymnastics / Suginami Children's Chorus, Big brother(Kanamori Sei)

CX series "Let's play with Mommy! Ping Pong Pang" (Japanese only)

It's a dragonfly, it's a swallowtail butterfly, it's a mamezo / Young Stars

NET "Microids S

MAC March / Manatsu Ryu, Boys and Girls Chorus Mizoumi

TBS "Ultraman Leo

HOSHIMARU Ondo / TPO, Tomoko Ikeda

Science Expo - Tsukuba '85

14.TUN TUN SONG / Yuri Shimazaki, Columbia Yurikagokai

TBS Radio "Zenkoku Kodomo Denwa Sodan Shitsu" (National Children's Telephone Consultation Room)

15. Ai no Yushatachi / Isao Sasaki

TBS "The Ultraman

16. Platonic / Yoko Katori

Odin: Mitsuko Sailing Ship Starlight" (film)

17. Belladonna of Sadness / Mayumi Tachibana

The movie "Belladonna of sorrow

18. Tears of Jeanne / Mayumi Tachibana

The movie "Belladonna of Sadness

Nemure Mach Baron / Yoshihiro Sugiura

NTV "Super Robot Mach Baron

My Odin -Odin's Maiden- / Yoko Katori

Odin: Mitsuko Sailing Ship Starlight" (movie)

Red Scarf / Isao Sasaki, Royal Knights

Space Battleship Yamato" (Yomiuri TV series)

22. My Brother's Robot / Columbia Yurikagokai

NTV "Super Robot Red Baron

23.Tsumujikaze / Non-Stop

NTV drama "Wild 7

Hoshi no Samba / Twinkle Sisters

ABC "The Prince of the Stars Petit Prince

Stardust Boys / Hironobu Kageyama

TV Asahi "Spaceship Sagittarius

＜DISC-2

Birthday Song / Mitsuko Horie, Koorogi '73

Paku Paku Poketto Record

2. Jarinko Chie / Busy Four

The movie "Jarinko Chie

Doroncho Doroyogoratta / Pine Stones, Suginami Children's Chorus

CX series "Let's play with Mommy! Ping Pong Pang" (CX)

Toppo Zillo's One-Two Counting Songs / Yui Yamazaki

TBS "Toppo Gijo in Japan

Himalaya Yukio-kun / Asei Kobayashi, Columbia Yurikagokai

Paku Paku Poketto Record

6.Caterpillar Momochan / Yoko Maekawa

Paku Paku Poketto Record

Chicken with an American accent / Steven Toth, Koorogi '73

Paku Paku Poketto Records

8.The Little Prince of the Stars Petit Prince / Kenzaburo Suzuki

ABC series "The Little Prince of the Stars, Petit Prince

Marriage March / Kaori mimiko, Okura Masatake

Paku Poketto Record

DOMO DOMO Concerto / Tomoko Hoshino, Morinoki Children's Chorus

CX Drama "Sazae-san

11.Surprising Mark Days / Tomoko Hoshino, Morinoki Children's Chorus Group ※ CX Drama "Sazae-san

CX Drama "Sazae-san

Teacher who came from Akita / Left Tonpei

Paku Paku Poketto Record

Zukkoke Junjo / Yasushi Nakano

Zukkoke Sannin Gumi" published by Poplar Publishing Co.

Friends / Young Fresh

TX "Pink Lady Story: Angels of Glory

Ultra Six Brothers / Taro Takemura, Boys and Girls Chorus Miziumi

TBS "Ultraman T

Devilman Somewhere Today / Keizo Tuda

NET "Devilman

The Ultraman / Isao Sasaki, Columbia Yurikagokai

TBS "The Ultraman

18. Fly! Red Baron of the Universe / Shinya Dan

NTV "Super Robot Red Baron

19.MICROID S / YOUNG STARS

NET "Microids S

Super Monkey Son Goku / Pink Lady

TBS "Fly! Son Goku" (TBS)

Fight! Ultraman Leo / Yugi Hide, Boys and Girls Choir Mizuumi

TBS "Ultraman Leo

22. Yume Kounen / Hironobu Kageyama

TV Asahi "Spaceship Sagittarius

23. Running through Time / Shinichi Ishihara

Ultraman USA" (movie)

Space Battleship Yamato / Isao Sasaki, Royal Knights

Space Battleship Yamato" (Yomiuri TV series)

25.Oiridashi no uta / Left Tonpei ※

Musical Fantasy Jack and the Beanstalk

First CD release