the Crayon Pop girls seem pretty cool from what I've seen of them on tv shows. I almost wish I liked their music more because of it. Soyul is a badass.

Hmm, a lot of interesting things were said here. I'm going to throw in my two cents on a few things, apologies for the long post :P

Bin82501 said:

That wasn't even a proper review or write up. I know the blog is a blog and not PitchFork or The Fader but sheesh this 'review' doesn't do anything for me. There's no thoughtful analysis or any real substance.

Well, to be fair, that's what that blog is about. It's supposed to be a snarky/half-trollish kind of thing, and the author isn't meant to be taken that seriously. The real issue for me is that a lot of the commenters actually do seem to think of Momoclo as a sort of inferior knock-off.

Bin82501 said:

I still think like a 90s A&R person but okay, after pioneering that transition, what distinguishes them from arguably their carbon copies? How does a group that pioneered a sort of musical diversity then not only distinguish itself from the pack but also evolve? What does the evolution look like or is the evolution for Momoclo just getting better at what Momoclo does? Getting better at genre bending? Singing etc

I mentioned this a while ago, but I think Momoclo already had the whole evolution and staying unique thing locked down when they promoted 5th Dimension with Neo Stargate and Birth 0 Birth. No other idol group really has made anything that sounds like those two songs, and I thought that these were going to mark Momoclo moving into an even wilder style of music than ever. I think part of the problem is that they didn't go through with that, so they did lose a bit of their distinctiveness. That being said, their compositions are still better crafted than the majority of their competition, Babymetal included imo. In Moon Pride, for example, which is maybe not so much of a standout in terms of uniqueness, you can really hear the care that was put into the instrumentation - there's so many little nuances going on. Most others don't have that. When it comes down to it, I think you can always stay pretty relevant if you follow the example of the band Rush, and keep an honest focus all the time on making your music the best it can be.

I'd also like to add that Momoclo has always had a sort of distinctive sound of its own, regardless of the genres they're mixing in. You can pretty clearly hear this style in Z Densetsu or Kaitou Shoujo (in other words the early Hyadain songs lol). Dempagumi inc. has tried to imitate it closely, but I don't think they pull it off quite as well, probably because it sounds like a conscious effort to imitate.

fishpockets said:

I don't want to say I told you so...

it's weird how many babymetal fans seem to be in denial about the fact that they actually like jpop

I think this is because most of these Western Babymetal fans were metal fans who discovered it via Blabbermouth or Metalsucks, and had no knowledge of J-pop before. What I gather is that a lot of these people want Babymetal to be the band that will revive a supposedly stale metal scene, and for that they need Babymetal to have "true" metal cred. Idols are pretty much the opposite of metal cred, so people like this prefer to look at Babymetal as a metal band that is bringing a completely original angle to the scene, and try to play down the fact that the stuff that appeals to them is really the idol music part of it. This has always bothered me because Babymetal was never really intended to have "serious" credibility in that community - they're totally missing the point.

^ I was thinking more of the general philosophy behind idols. Things like being manufactured by a talent agency, being heavily commercialized, and having replaceable members/graduations (where applicable) are pretty much pure evil in the eyes of the average Western metal fan, so they're the opposite of "credible" in the metal world. I agree that there are a lot of musical connections between them, which is why I never really thought that blending idols and metal was that crazy an idea. :)

They just showed the full version of Z no Chikai live (for the first time? First time I've seen it, anyways :P).
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/62560144 (At ~1:42:10)

Again with the headset mics. I wonder if they'll always be using those for this song. Seem like they'd have to change the choreography a fair bit if they used handheld mics.

Being a song for the latest dragon ball movie one would assume by this point that it has been translated already. I did it anyways.

The purpose of this is to have it evaluated by someone who knows better. If you can please, correct and explain.

Any and all are free to use this as they please. credits are not necessary.



What a disgrace! It can't be happening!
恥だ！ドジでマジたまんない！

Being calm is really irritating!
余裕綽々が癪だ！

The guy who saved the earth has a mix reputation.
地球を救った“あいつ”評判マチマチ



The papers, clouds, and signs are in on it.
新聞(ニュース)と雲と図にノッちゃって

It doesn't bother me, still they say it.
へっちゃらだよってまた言っちゃって

"Your carelessness is your weakness!" don't preach it.
油断は大敵　そうだ！説教しなくちゃ



This requires preparation.
(お覚悟召され)

Already the protagonist
そもそも主役の座を

What is it you know, master! Ha!
何とお心得ですか？先輩！(ハッ)

It's too late to be serious!
本気出すの遅すぎ！

Because of that I'm in trouble.
それからピンチの時

Time to skip the jokes! There's a problem! Ha!
ギャグ飛ばすのやめてね！心配！(ハッ)

If there's a tragedy, who's brave enough?
悲劇が起きたら　誰から“勇気”を

Shall I tell you?
教わればいいの？



Knowing that things are
永遠だったはずの　未来でさえも

and always will be fragile
コワレモノと知って

people become warriors.
人は戦士に　生まれ変わる

Tiny dreams already blooming from they're hearts...
まずは胸に咲いた　小さな夢を

Protecting that
守るんだね

and to have doubt is the duty of Team「Z」.
迷うことも任務さTEAM「Z」



Charging energy in both hands.
両手合わせ気を込める

Any moment KAME-HAME-HA!
いつか出るぞカメハメ波

It releases sigh. One tissue goes flying.
出るのは溜め息　飛ぶはティッシュ1枚



Didn't go like you thought.
思い通りにはいかない

Biting nails for some reason
ナンダカンダ爪噛んだ

When it comes to this, cheer! Let's go! Preach the 4!
こうなりゃ応援だ！いくぞ！説教その4



This requires patients.
(辛抱召され)

Occasionally become the target.
たまにウケを狙って

Intentionally eat a punch? Master!
パンチわざと食らうでしょ？先輩！(ハッ)

This is too exciting!
あれハラハラさせすぎ！

Heart is beating so fast! Ha ha ha!
心臓踊らせすぎ！(ハッ　ハッ　ハッ)

This unusual life
規格外の人生

certainly wares you out by the weekend. Cheers! Ha!
きっと週末は疲労　困憊(こんぱい)！(ハッ)

But nothing can remove this flighty smile from my face.
だけど絶やさない　ヤンチャな笑顔が

That's the mark of a champion.
勇者の証ね



Those who fought for the future are called heroes
未来守る者を　HEROと呼ぶ

It's always been this way on this planet
この星ではずっと

Things like love and wishes are passed on.
愛や希望が　継がれてきた

Now it's my turn
次は私の番　小さな夢を

to protect these little dreams.
守るんだね

Wait for the morning that's beyond this night.
闇の　その先には朝が待ってる



"Why haven't you given up?"
なぜ諦めてたんだろ？

"There's no reason to do anything."
何もできるわけがないと

This adverse propaganda has no influence.
信じ込んでいたよ　絶望のプロパガンダ

The song begins in great resound.
始まりの歌が響く

The banner of 「Z」 flies in the wind.
「Z」の旗が翻る

Alright, let's go! Our freinds are anticipating tommorow.
さぁ行こう　仲間達が待ってる明日へ



Knowing that things are
永遠だったはずの　未来でさえも

and always will be fragile
コワレモノと知って

people become warriors.
人は戦士に　生まれ変わる

Tiny dreams already blooming from they're hearts...
まずは胸に咲いた　小さな夢を

To protect them, that
守るんだね　それが…

is the oath of 「Z」
「Z」という　誓い…



Those who fought for the future are called heroes
未来守る者を　HEROと呼ぶ

It's always been this way on this planet
この星ではずっと

Things like love and wishes are passed on.
愛や希望が　継がれてきた

Now it's our turn
次は私の番　小さな夢を

to protect these little dreams.
守るんだね

So they aren't crushed in the darkness.
闇に　潰されないように

Can they be protected?
守れるかな？

We worry about that a little, but
そのね　ちょっと心配だけど

we want to protect them.
守りたいよ

To waver in our resolve is also... the duty of TEAM「Z」
悩み迷うことも…任務さTEAM「Z」

ssk_lennie10 said:

A version that was previously posted
[...]

That's just part of the English version lyrics, not really a translation of the original lyrics. :)

As a representative of a DBZ press site FUNimation is asking us to review the new movie, and as a result I now have the official lyrics to the English version of Z no Chikai (well, at least the movie version). Note that the English is not perfect, and that there are no typos. The credit for the English lyrics states they were written by EMI K. Lynn.

Dummy! Silly, really What a shame!
Only chillin' chillin', tick me off!
Reputation variation
Demigod saviour, shaky shaky
Zoomin' movin' People know ya name
Head-Cha-La you go Wha Wha Whatcha say?
Your attention no intention
Dangerous! Let me holla at cha

(Listen to me now!)

Do you do you realise
You're a star, they are watchin' you go by! (Ha!)
Having good time all the time
Battling Can't you get serious? (Ha Ha Ha!)
In danger you are jokin' jokin'
Got me worry worry and I don't know why! (Ha!)
Tell me tell me who's our hero
Gimme gimme strength to follow
In the pain and sorrow

Soldiers rise up, here we go
We gonna keep movin' on
Forever is no more guarantee
Tomorrow can be broken no matter what we do
I gotta find the light of my heart
Keep it away from the dark
I wanna save my dream I believe
Maybe I can find my destiny
All I can do is try, gonna fly, cry no more
Because we are TEAM "Z"

Hand to hand brotha set ya mind
Might be ready Kame-Hame-Ha?
Disappointing Irritating
3, 2, 1 Mission incomplete
Oh my god make you wanna cry
Fallin' fallin' down break ya heart
Gonna be ya cheerleader!
Let's go! Let me holla again

(Gotta hang on now!)

By the way you take a punch
Trying to be funny, tell me why (Ha!)
Makin' my heart beatin' fast!
Don't you know you are freakin' me out! (Ha Ha Ha)
Working for the weekend
Wonderin' what's goin' on with ya life (Ha!)
But you always crack a smile
Showin' Showin' you are brave
Everybody can count on you

-Second Chorus and first part of the Bridge Omitted-

Soldiers rise up, here we go
We gonna keep movin' on
Forever is no more guarantee
Tomorrow can be broken no matter what we do
I gotta find the light of my heart
Keep it away from the dark
I wanna save my dream I believe...
In the name of "Z" I'll be there...

Heros rise up, here we go
We gonna keep movin' on
Only one who can save tomorrow
Together love and hope are saving us forever
I gotta find the light of my heart
Keep it away from the dark
I wanna save my dream I believe
Maybe I can find my destiny
Finally it's my turn, gonna try
Although I'm a little worried
All I can do is try, cry no more
I wanna save my dream
Because we are... TEAM "Z"

Nice to see the new cool choreography for CHA-LA HEAD-CHALA.

Momoka looks adorable. XD

momotaka said:

Music show of Japanese TV　
CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA

I don't even like this song very much, but I got a kick out of the performance. Momoka!

Azureus said:

English version of Z no Chikai is available on Japan itunes.
https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/id1021450776?app=itunes&ls=1

or here
http://recochoku.jp/song/S1001988587/?ds=A1002599509

Also in the Amazon.co.jp seems to be able to download the song.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/Ｐｌｅｄｇｅ　ｏｆ　“Ｚ”-ももいろクローバーＺ/dp/B012XQMCSQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1438645975&sr=1-1&keywords=pledge+of+Z