The spell is undone. One moment, the world was held captive under its enchanting power, and the next, it shattered into a million tiny fragments. The spell, once so invincible, has crumbled into dust, losing its grip on reality. The whispers of its presence have faded, leaving behind an eerie silence. For far too long, the spell had held sway over the hearts and minds of the people. It had twisted their perceptions and clouded their judgment.
1440p/1080p mirrors without captions: [1] [2].
Some more mirrors if Youtube decides to be the fun police: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].
The fact is though, that it was eerie fitting for the depressing times we were in, even more perfect for the situation because since fans weren t allowed to cheer nor sing along due to the sanitary restrictions when the song ends you just see waving glowsticks and timid claps in the audience, as if they were too emotionally broken by the song to make any other move and maybe they really were. Lyrics however, are nothing without a good interpreter, and this is another impressive aspect of this performance Miku s tuning for this one was simply perfect.
It had twisted their perceptions and clouded their judgment. Under its influence, love turned to hate, unity dissolved into division, and harmony gave way to chaos. The spell had entangled its victims in a web of lies and deceit, blinding them to the truth.
Inochi ni kirawarete Iru @ Magical Mirai 2020
This is a (free) advertisement post about Hatsune Miku’s presentation of Kanzaki Iori’s Inochi ni Kirawarete Iru at a Magical Mirai concert held on November 2020 in Osaka, Japan.
I stumbled upon this Miku performance at random thanks to YouTube’s autoplay and was left dumbfounded by the sheer beauty of it. Usually this blog is about the technical aspects of anime and etc but sometimes it’s good to take a break to simply recognize and give praise to something praiseworthy.
Translating for those who have no idea what I’m talking about:
Hatsune Miku is a vocaloid synthetic software “singer” and one of Japan’s big three otaku cultural exports (the other two being Touhou and anime). She’s so popular these days that even mass media is catching up and trying to explain to your grandpa how the whole thing works. The company behind Miku, Crypton Future Media, annually holds live concerts in Japan called,
Magical Mirai, where Miku holographically “performs” on stage accompanied by a live band. It’s an exhibition of state-of-the-art holographic tech and audiovisual synchronization, besides looking incredible silly and fun. The concert’s setlist is comprised of songs written by vocaloid producers such as,
Kanzaki Iori, who happens to be the lyricist and composer of,
Inochi ni kirawarete Iru. (命に嫌われている。), transliterated “hated by life”, a gloomy vocaloid song with lyrics about depression and suicide. Arranged for Miku’s voice, while undeniably dark in theme, it has a hopeful message and ends in a comforting note.
So, back on topic, what makes this performance so special are the interesting coincidence of circumstances and the quality of every element involved.
Inochi ni Kirawarete Iru is, first of all, a beautiful anthem. It’s one of those upbeat high tempo melodies with sad lyrics -a trending style now being popularized by bands like Yoasobi and Yorushika. The lyrics are written from the singer’s perspective as he/she’s singing for someone angry at the hardships of life and the paradox of wanting it let it all go but hanging on for the sake of those around.
These lyrics are what makes the performance so amusing. Magical Mirai’s setlist is often comprised of happy, cheerful songs that, while varying in theme, never tend to the gloomy side. Not only unusual, it is quite surprising that it made to the list, especially considering, or perhaps it was precisely considering, the fact that 2020 was the year marked by the covid pandemic.
We may never know if they did include the song because of the virus or if it was just an unexpected coincidence. The fact is though, that it was eerie fitting for the depressing times we were in, even more perfect for the situation because since fans weren’t allowed to cheer nor sing along (due to the sanitary restrictions) when the song ends you just see waving glowsticks and timid claps in the audience, as if they were too emotionally broken by the song to make any other move –and maybe they really were.
Lyrics however, are nothing without a good interpreter, and this is another impressive aspect of this performance: Miku’s tuning for this one was simply perfect.
Whoever was responsible for it deserves some pats on the back. They did good.
Unlike the original song by Kanzaki Iori, which uses a more deep voice, the live performance takes advantage of the fact it’s accompanied by an actual piano and band instead of MIDI instruments and increases Miku’s pitch, while also slowing down the tempo. This turns the overall mood of the song, from a sorrowful rant to a despairing plea, that in my opinion makes the lyrics way more impactful.
Her tone fluctuates during the song, being more sad during the intro and bridge, then going all out in the high notes for the chorus. It’s emotional and real, perhaps more “human” than actual human performers.
What is more real, a hologram singing with a voice carefully tuned by someone passionate about it, or a flesh & blood musician relying on playback for live performances?
This hologram, that not only sings but also shows emotion through its expression and movements.
Yes, another department which should also get a bonus is the one responsible for Miku’s choreography and facial expressions in this song.
You can feel her angst, her movements aren’t just for show, they match the stages of the lyrics. She complains about society while punching her fist in the air; she pleads for the audience while facing forward and pointing at them; she reaches a realization about her song with an arm wide open. Just like her voice, her movements are dynamic and emotional.
And not only Miku, but the musicians accompanying her are also grooving to the song, when the cameras focus on them or we get glimpses of the stage, they always seem invested into it (brother on the guitar was really feeling it).
Finally, perhaps the most unique aspect of this performance is that it is actually …unique.
Magical Mirai 2020 was held in two separated times, first in Osaka, then in Tokyo. This song was only played as an encore in the Osaka leg of the tour, in Tokyo it was replaced with a different one. Not only that, but the concert footage from the DVD/BD release is recorded from Tokyo, and Osaka footage is only available as bonus content on the “special limited edition” of the BDs. What this all means is that unless you were in Osaka in November 2020, had a virtual ticket, or own a physical limited edition BD, the only way you can see this magical performance is through Youtube/torrent rips, uploaded by blessed anons. And even that risks extinction as these days DMCA takedowns are one report away.
Like a shooting star, it shines beautifully and brightly but is only seen by few and, in a brief instant, it’s gone again.
Hatsune Miku is one of humanity’s greatest treasures and there’s nothing that can convince me otherwise.
This song and this performance are the perfect soundtrack for the SNAFU of covid-ridden years.
If you have 5 minutes to spare, please go and watch it.
1440p/1080p mirrors without captions: [1] [2].
Some more mirrors if Youtube decides to be the fun police: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].
This is a (free) advertisement post about Hatsune Miku’s presentation of Kanzaki Iori’s Inochi ni Kirawarete Iru at a Magical Mirai concert held on November 2020 in Osaka, Japan.
I stumbled upon this Miku performance at random thanks to YouTube’s autoplay and was left dumbfounded by the sheer beauty of it. Usually this blog is about the technical aspects of anime and etc but sometimes it’s good to take a break to simply recognize and give praise to something praiseworthy.
But now, the spell is undone. The veil of illusion has been lifted, revealing the stark reality that was hidden from view. The people can finally see the world for what it truly is – a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of love and compassion. As the spell disintegrates, the truth emerges, bringing with it a renewed sense of hope and possibility. No longer bound by the chains of the spell, the people are free to reclaim their autonomy and reshape their destiny. They can choose to build bridges instead of walls, to heal instead of hurt, and to uplift instead of oppress. The spell's demise has unlocked a wellspring of potential, empowering individuals to break free from their constraints and forge a path towards a brighter future. Yet, as the spell is undone, it leaves behind scars and remnants of its dark legacy. The wounds inflicted by its influence are not easily healed. It will take time and effort to mend the broken pieces and rebuild what was lost. But with the spell's demise comes an opportunity for growth and transformation. The spell is undone, but the work is far from over. It is a call to action, a reminder that the power to shape the world lies in the hands of the people. It is a chance to learn from the past, to chart a new course, and to create a reality that reflects the very best of humanity. The spell is undone, and a new chapter has begun. May we embrace this moment of awakening and strive to create a world where love triumphs over hate, unity prevails over division, and harmony reigns supreme..
Reviews for "The Magic Within: Lessons from "The Spell is Undone"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The spell is undone" based on the synopsis, but I found the execution to be lacking. The plot felt disjointed and the pacing was all over the place. The characters lacked depth and I struggled to connect with any of them. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 1 star - I found "The spell is undone" to be incredibly predictable and unoriginal. The storyline felt like a rehash of other fantasy novels I've read before. The writing was also subpar, with awkward dialogue and weak descriptions. I was hoping for a captivating read, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me.
3. Jessica - 2 stars - I had a lot of trouble getting into "The spell is undone". The writing style was overly flowery and it made the story difficult to follow. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me confused about the setting and rules of the magical system. The characters were forgettable and their motivations seemed forced. Overall, this book was a disappointment and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Alex - 1 star - "The spell is undone" was a complete letdown. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was slow and I found myself bored throughout most of the book. The writing was also lackluster, with repetitive phrases and cliched descriptions. I was expecting an engaging and captivating read, but this book failed to deliver.
5. Emily - 2 stars - I was excited to read "The spell is undone", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it difficult to care about their fates. The plot lacked depth and the twists were predictable. Overall, this book felt like a missed opportunity and I was left disappointed.