Ongaku Cafe (2010-2019): Watanabe Mayu – Hikarumonotachi (Regular Edition) (2012)

1. ヒカルものたち
2. 恋を踏んじゃった
3. サヨナラの橋
4. ヒカルものたち (Instrumental)
5. 恋を踏んじゃった (Instrumental)
6. サヨナラの橋 (Instrumental)

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There is no doubt that that Watanabe Mayu a.k.a. “Mayuyu”  is one of the more popular members of AKB48. As a member of the AKB48 sub-units Watarirouka Hashiritai, No Name and Team Dragon, she’s one of the most visible members of the group on television and in media.

Ranked #2 in the Senbatsu Elections, known for her cute personality and her love of anime and manga, in 2012, Watanabe was given the chance to debut as a solo artist. Her debut single “Synchro Tokimeki” was released in February and debuted at #2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts, followed by “Otona Jelly Beans” released in July 2012 and debut at #3.

Now, Mayuyu is back with a third CD single titled “Hikarumonotachi” and the single became her first #1 single. A single which has a tie-in to the animated film “Nerawareta Gakuen”, in which she is the voice actress for the main character and also sings the theme song “Sayonara no Hashi”.

And prior to the CD single’s release, a lot of buzz was being made as Watanabe was shown with an outfit for her CD single cover as she will be portraying a virtual idol and for teh music video of “Sayonara no Hashi”, how she would be portraying a student wearing a high school uniforms from 47 schools. In addition, buzz about limited edition releases and also DVD content to attract fans.

“Hikarumonotachi” was released in five different versions. A limited edition “CD＋α” featuring Mayu Watanabe with her costume as a manga illustration by Arie Tanimura and comes with a limited photobook, Type-A, Type-B and Type-C coming with a DVD and all four versions coming with a different second track. And the fifth version is the regular edition with no DVD but also comes with the second track that was included in the limited edition.

The version I will be reviewing is the regular edition. The insert is a bi-fold with lyrics and production credits on one side, while the other side features images of Mayuyu in her outfit. Also, flyer insert promoting her solo website.

The CD begins with the upbeat idol pop track “Hikarumonotachi”. One will automatically think auto-tune or Vocaloid as the direction for this single is to showcase Mayuyu as a virtual idol. An upbeat track that is more electro-pop with plenty of voice manipulation throughout the track. It’s a bit different from her usual sugar sweet idol pop single releases so far and I’m actually open to this experimentation with her music, to show that she is a diverse artist and I enjoyed the song!

The song can be translated to “Shining the light for you” and from the English lyrics at the beginning of the track, it pretty much describes the song:

Can’t you feel the love, it’s shining so bright now
Can’t you feel the beat, the beat of my heart now
I believe in love, it’s everything I need
Don’t you ever stop, these things that I’m feeling

The rest of the song features surreal and philosophical lyrics. One can listen to the song and think its about life. And one trying to understand the world. The song asks “Why are people born?” and “Why do people die?”. For those who choose to live, to enjoy life and believe that love exists in this world.

The second track on the single is “Koi wo fun jatta” (which translates to “I had stepped into love”) which is an exclusive to the regular edition. Probably one of my favorite Mayuyu songs, the track is fun, happy and upbeat. The song is about a one-sided love about a girl who sees someone they like in the train station, while on the same train, she feels she could be closer to that person. But each time she did, she ended up stepping on the person’s foot and did it again. Apologetic and feeling bad as it may have hurt, instead of being in pain, the person laughed.

The third track “Sayonara no hashi” can be translated to the “bridge of goodbye” and it’s a sad ballad about only when one has said goodbye to that person, then you realized how much you loved that person. And the person reflects on the memories that she/he had with that person. And how the bridge of goodbye is a bridge to the future. I love this song and it’s probably the track I listen to most in the entire single. The arrangement and the overall song is quite beautiful.

The remaining three tracks on the single are the instrumental versions of the first three songs.

Overall, “Hikarumonotachi” (Regular Edition) is a fun single and while the CD+DVD’s have a enjoyable tracks, it’s interesting that one of my favorites “Koi wo fun jatta” is only in the regular edition, so for those who purchased the CD+DVD versions of the single, if you really want an awesome upbeat Mayuyu song, you’ll need to purchase the regular edition of “Hikarumonotachi” as well.

But while there are fans who may prefer the sugary sweet idol pop tracks featured on Mayuyu’s first two singles, I enjoyed the diverse tracks featured on “Hikarumonotachi” as producers are exploring various sides of the artist. In this case, trying to capitalize on the Vocaloid popularity. It’s a different style but the song works. Personally, I like the song but I don’t want to hear her voice being auto-tuned or being tweaked on every track.

Exciting, fun and something new, “Hikarumonotachi” (Regular Edition) offers three different tracks that show us the different musical side of Mayuyu. A single worth recommending!