Experience the history of "Tomino's Anime" through a series of TV-size theme songs! The World of Yoshiyuki Tomino's "TV" - Complete Collection of TV-Size Theme Songs" [Ryozo Fuwa's "Anime no otto" Vo.06

In the form of a disc guide, "Anime no otto" introduces the anime songs and accompanying music born during the dawn and development of anime, focusing on the stories of lyricists, composers, arrangers, singers, and other creators of the Legendary Generation. In this sixth installment, we focus on the CD "The World of Yoshiyuki Tomino "TV": The Complete Collection of TV-Size Theme Songs," released on October 12, 2019, by King Records.

The exhibition "The World of Yoshiyuki Tomino" is currently touring six venues across Japan, and this CD was released just in time for the opening day of the second venue, Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art (October 12 - December 22, 2019), following the first venue, Fukuoka City Art Museum (June 22 - September 1, 2019). One of the main features of this release is that the selection of songs is limited to "theme songs of TV programs" and "TV size soundtracks" from Yoshiyuki Tomino's numerous works. Unless you are an anime song fan or soundtrack fan, you may not be familiar with the term "TV size", but the term "TV size" is used to distinguish the short size recordings or edited soundtracks that are played at the opening/ending of TV anime from the full size versions for record/CD release. The term "TV size" is used to distinguish it from the full-size version used for record/CD releases. However, it is the "TV size" version, not the full size version, that we looked forward to and listened to every week without fail when the program was broadcast. The TV-size versions that remain in the back of our minds are the true anime songs. ...... and their value has been greatly reevaluated in recent years. Although the CD contains 44 songs in total, they are all contained on one CD, and it can be said that the TV size sound source is unique in that you can experience the accumulation of Tomino's works all at once on that one CD.

The first and second tracks on this CD are two theme songs from "Invincible Superhero Zambot 3" (1977). This was the first original work produced by the animation production company "Sunrise" (at that time Nihon Sunrise), the originator of Sunrise's Tomino robot animation, and a monumental work that is also the starting point of the longstanding and deep relationship between King Records, the publisher of this CD, and Tomino's works. The following three works, "Invincible Steel Man Daiturn 3" (1978) and "Mobile Suit Gundam" (1979), were composed and arranged by the famous duo of Takeo Watanabe and Yuji Matsuyama, who also wrote the theme songs for the other two works. Also, as is well known by now, the lyricist of the Mobile Suit Gundam theme song "Shobe! Gundam," is the pen name of Mr. Tomino's lyricist, Iogi In, whose name appears from here as the lyricist. However, this was not revealed until 1981. At the time of the Gundam and "Densetsu Kyojin Ideon" (1980) TV broadcasts, he was a mysterious lyricist with a fearsome talent, and his true identity was speculated about in various ways.

The series went on to include "Battle Mecha Zabungle" (1982), "Saint Dunbine" (1983), and "Heavy Fighter Elgaim" (1984), which were later organized as "Real Robot Kei" (synonym: Super Robot Kei) in the "Super Robot Wars" video game series that began in the 1990s, and became a popular series among the younger generation. These three works can be said to be the three Tomino animations that established the realistic line of Sunrise robot animation, which was later organized as the "Super Robot Taisen" game series starting in the 1990s and became widely known even among the younger generation. One of Tomino's great inventions was the introduction of realistic military depictions in robot animation, such as the concept of mass-produced machines and supply, the existence of mother ships and mechanics who perform maintenance, and strategic fleet operations.

The same invention introduced in ZABUNGLE, DUNBINE, and EL GAIM also extends to the theme songs included on this CD. The theme song for "ZABUNGLE" was sung by Akira Kushida, who at the time was also gaining attention for his work on the special effects programs "Taiyo Sentai Sambalukan" (1981) and "Space Detective Gabin" (1982). However, the insert songs "Hey You" and "Wasuregusa," which were used in the play from the middle of the story, were sung by MIO (now MIQ), a female singer with a distinctive husky voice, and in the following "Seisenji Dunbine," she was finally chosen to sing the theme songs "Dunbine Tobu" and "Mieru desu Byston Well," and in the next work "Heavy War Machine Elgaim" also followed the same path, with MIO singing the theme songs "Elgaim-Time for L-GAIM" and "Starlight Shower. Although there had been precedents of female singers singing theme songs for robot animation such as "Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V" (1977: Mr. Tomino also participated in this work as a storyboard artist), it was rare for a female singer to sing a theme song for a realistic robot animation with a higher target age range, and one that had a mostly male fan base against the backdrop of the plastic model boom. However, it must have been a big gamble at the time to have a female singer sing the theme song of a realistic robot anime that was aimed at a more mature audience, and one in which the majority of fans were male, against the backdrop of the plastic model boom. Director Tomino's experimental production techniques, which were called "pattern-breaking" at the time, such as the character design of Giron Amos in "ZABUNGLE," who did not look like a main character, and the introduction of a new main character robot in the latter half of the series, were truly code-breaking and unconventional in the use of a theme song singer. In fact, for some time after this, the theme songs of Tomino's works were sung by female singers.

Furthermore, as can be seen from the list of songs on this CD, the terms "first period OP" and "second period OP" were used from "El-Gaim" onward. This was the first time for Sunrise to change the theme song in a robot animation series, although it had already been attempted in "Urusei Yatsura" (1981) and other series at the time. The fact that MAYA AYUKAWA, who sang "Kaze No Reply", sang the theme song for the next "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam" (1985) also coincided with the path taken by MIO in "ZABUNGLE" and then "DUNBINE". Since then, not only in Tomino's works, it has become commonplace for theme songs to change between the first and second seasons, and for female singers to sing theme songs for robot animation before long. Even if a pattern is broken, it is not left unbroken, but is always utilized as a foundation for the next pattern, and becomes the standard style for the next generation. ...... This is the "newness" that has been created by Tomino and Sunrise works, and it has also changed the shape of TV animation, animation songs, and even the way the business is conducted. This is the "newness" that Tomino and Sunrise have created, and is the driving force that has revolutionized TV animation, anime songs, and even the way the business is conducted.

The long-awaited "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam" (1985) appeared as a sequel depicting the world seven years after "Mobile Suit Gundam. The latter OP "Mizu no Hoshi e Ai wo Komete" is also the debut song of Hiroko Moriguchi, who later became a variety idol, and was featured in NHK's 2018 program project "Announcement! All Gundam Grand Poll," NHK's 2018 program project, it is a timeless and well-loved song that won first place in the popularity poll of songs from all past Gundam series. This time, the 80-second TV size take is being commercialized for the first time. The full picture of the sound, which was difficult to understand because of the mix of various sound effects in the opening video, has been revealed for the first time. I would like to add that all three songs including the OP "Ζ, Toki wo Koete" and ED "Hoshizora no Believe" were composed by Neil Sedaka, a symbol of American pop music in the 1950s and 1960s along with Paul Anka.

Although ostensibly difficult to see, a change also occurred in "Mobile Suit V Gundam" (1993). That is, the early period OP "STAND UP TO THE VICTORY - To the Victory" and the late period OP "Don't Stop! Carry On!" were released by King Records, while the early period ED "WINNERS FOREVER - Victory! The record company for the OP theme song and the ED theme song is different, with the latter period ED "Once again TENDERNESS" coming from Apollon (now Bandai Namco Arts). This format was not the first to be used for "V Gundam," but it became commonplace as a form of anime song business around this time, and in the late 1990s and 2000s, it also became the norm. When I think back to the single record days when the opening song was on the A-side and the ending song on the B-side, I feel that the times have changed quite a bit, but this is one of the changes that have occurred over the course of Tomino's anime. This is one of the changes that Tomino's anime has gone through.

The last part of the CD also contains a big surprise. Mr. Tomino, who started his career as a production assistant for "Astro Boy" (1963), Japan's first half-hour TV animation series, was the first chief director (director) of "Triton of the Sea" (1972), "Raideen the Brave" (1975), which he directed the first half of the series, and "Rideen the Brave" (1976), which he directed the last half of the series. The bonus feature is the inclusion of TV-size theme songs from his early works before the so-called Sunrise robot animation series, such as "The Star of La Seine" (1975), which he directed towards the end of the series. Triton" suddenly begins to play after the theme song of "Gundam G Reconguista" (2014), which is currently Tomino's latest TV series, with the SE sound of the volcano erupting. Triton" is a very moving experience for those of us who have lived with Tomino's works since the days of "Triton of the Sea" and feel as if 40 years have passed in a flash.

Although this CD is being released by King Records, it is also unique in that it is an all-time compilation of Tomino's TV works, transcending the boundaries of record companies. Also, as shown in the list of sound sources released on CD for the first time below, the CD contains many valuable takes that have never been commercialized before because they are "TV size sound sources. It is not difficult to imagine that it took a great deal of time, effort, and perseverance to uncover these recordings across different record companies. The exhibition "The World of Yoshiyuki Tomino" and the first part of Tomino's latest film, the five-part theatrical version of "Gundam G Reconguista," which will be released on November 29, 2019, entitled "Go! I would like to pay tribute to the enthusiasm and efforts of the production staff for achieving a release that coincides with the timing of "Core Fighter".

Listening to this CD while reminiscing about the time of the broadcast, I recall the thrill of that moment when I rushed home from school and turned on the TV, the sounds and smells of dinner being prepared beside me, and the auditory hallucination of the "warning music" that was supposed to play after the ending theme, among other sensations and memories. You will have a mysterious experience that will awaken your other senses and memories as well. This is the unique charm and enjoyment of "TV size theme songs. The fact that listeners in their teens to 60s can experience this feeling in common is a result of this CD, which boasts of a wide range of works recorded over a period of more than 40 years. This is a testament to the weight of the history of Yoshiyuki Tomino's works, their longevity, consistency of theme, and richness of appeal.

(Text by Ryozo Fuwa)

Product Information

CD "The World of Yoshiyuki Tomino's TV: The Complete Collection of TV-Size Theme Songs

Release date: October 12, 2019

Price: 3,500 yen (excluding tax)

Label: King Record Co.

Contents

1. Go! Zambot 3* Song: Hori Kouichiro "Muteki Choujin Zambot 3" OP

2. Hoshiyo Eien yo Uchu no Hoshi* Song: HORIKOICHI ICHIRO "Muteki Choujin Zambot 3" ED

Come Here! Daiturn 3* Song: Makoto Fujiwara "Invincible Steel Man Daiturn 3" OP

Toppo de Tango* Song: Koorogi '73 "Invincible Steel Man Daiturn 3" ED

5. Fly! Gundam Song: IKEDA Ko "Mobile Suit Gundam" OP

Eternal Amuro Song: IKEDA Ko "Mobile Suit Gundam" ED

Resurrection Ideon* Song: TAIRAI Sao 'Densetsu Kyojin Ideon' OP

8. cosmos ni kimi to * Song: TODA Keiko "Densetsu kyojin ideon" ED

Gale Zabungle Song: Akira Kushida 'Battle Mecha Zabungle' OP

Dry Land Song: Akira Kushida "Battle Mecha Zabungle" ED

DANBINE TOBU Song: MIO "SEISENSHI DANBINE" OP

Mieru desu mieru Byston Well Song: MIO "Saint Dunbine" ED

Elgaim -Time for L-GAIM-* Song: MIO "Jyuusenki Elgaim" 1st OP

Starlight Shower* Song: MIO "Jyuusenki Elgaim" ED

Kaze no reply Song: AYUKAWA Mami 'Jyu Senki Elgaim' 2nd OP

Zeta, beyond the time Song: MAYA AYUKAWA "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam" 1st OP

17. "Believe in the starry sky" Song: Maya Ayukawa "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam" ED

18. "To the Water Star with Love" Song: Hiroko Moriguchi "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam" 2nd OP

19. "It's not an anime~I'm an old earthling who forgot a dream~" Song: Masato Arai "Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta Gundam" 1st OP

20. jidai ga nai wo weiteiru ito -Singing: Masato Arai "Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta" 1st season ED

21. "Silent Voice" Song: Jun Hiroe "Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta" 2nd OP

22. 10 Million Year Galaxy Song: Jun Hiroe "Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta" 2nd ED

23.STAND UP TO THE VICTORY～to the Victory～ Song: Tomohisa KAWAZOE "Mobile Suit V Gundam" 1st OP

24.WINNERS FOREVER - to the Victory - Song: INFIX 'Mobile Suit V Gundam' 1st season ED

25.Don't Stop! Carry On! Song: RD "Mobile Suit V Gundam" 2nd OP

26. TENDERNESS again Song: KIX▸S "Mobile Suit V Gundam" 2nd ED

IN MY DREAM Song: SHINGYOJI Eri "Bren Powered" OP

Ai no kakirin (field) Song: KOKIA "Bren Powered" ED

29. turn A turn "Tribe Gundam" ep.2-OP Song: SAIJO Hideki

AURA Song: TANIMURA Shinji "Holy Gundam" ep.1-ED

CENTURY COLOR Song: RAY-GUNS 'Holy Gundam' ep.39-OP

32.Moon Cocoon Song: Aki Okui "Holy Gundam" ep.41-ED

33. Endless Journey Song: OKUI Aki "Tribe Gundam" Final ED

King Gainer Over!　Song: FUKUYAMA Yoshiki "OVERMAN King Gainer" OP

Can you feel my soul Song: Himitsu Gakudan Maboroshi [OVERMAN KING GAINER] ED

BLAZING Song: GARNiDELiA "Gundam G no Reconguista" OP

37. Futari no Mahou Song: May J. 'Gundam G no Reconguista' 2nd OP

G no Senkou" Song: Hasegawa Daisuke "Gundam G no Reconguista" ED

Umi no Triton (GO! GO! Triton)* Song: HIDE Yuki, Suginami Children's Chorus "Umi no Triton" OP

Triton of the sea＊ Song: Rika Sudo, Minami Kosetsu and Kaguyahime "Triton of the sea" ED

Yusha Raideen* Song: Masato Komon, Columbia Yurikagokai "Yusha Raideen" OP

42. Oare wa Ko da* (Song: Masato Komon, Columbia Yurikagokko-kai "Raideen the Brave" ED)

La Seine no Hoshi* Song: HORIE Miyako, Columbia Yurikagokai "La Seine no Hoshi" OP

I am Simone* (Song: Mitsuko Horie, Columbia Yurikagokai "La Seine no Hoshi" ED)

Monaural recording

First CD release

The original masters of the songs were kept in storage at the time of recording, and the sound sources were taken from video materials and recorded. 18 songs are included for the first time, which have never been packaged before.

Time for L-GAIM

Starlight Shower

Kaze no reply ※A pitch-up take from the original tempo is included.

Zeta, beyond the time

Ai wo Hoshi e Ai wo Komete ※80sec. TV size take is included.

Silent Voice

22.10 Million Year Galaxy

23.STAND UP TO THE VICTORY～to the Victory

24.winners forever

25.Don't Stop! Carry On!

26.TENDERNESS once again

AURA