The TV animation “Saga Idol is Legendary”, which was launched in October last year, attracted many viewers and received enthusiastic support. This fall, the anime will feature a selection of the iconic fiction group Fran Chou featuring the theme song and the epic mastering version that was previously only available in the BD specials, as well as two new songs. In addition, the animation has also decided to make a sequel, “Saga Idol is Legendary Revenge.”

As an idol animation, the music of “Saga Idol is Legend” is undoubtedly a key element. The songs in the works are very colorful, with various styles such as heavy metal, Hip-Hop and avant-garde rock. And consistently, it is the unique charm of “Idol Music”. “Animage” magazine interviewed Sato Hiroshi, the producer of Scoop Music, who produced the song “Saga Idol is Legend”, and asked him to tell the story behind the song production

Sato is of course very happy with the announcement of the sequel to the announcement of the animation. But in fact, he only knows that he has to do such a sequel. Even the subtitle of “vengeance” was heard for the first time at the Fran Chou concerts in July. In this sense, his current mood is the same as in the first season: “What is this? What should I do?”

When I was invited to participate in the first episode of “Saga Idol is Legend”, the concept that Sato heard was “an idol group that changes according to C position.” Both the song and the appearance will change with the C position. And specifically talking to him, “Please do such a song out”, it was a long time after that

Sato has also worked with real-life idol groups. Different idol groups have different ways of making music. The idol image that members want to be, and the era in which the group is in, will also bring great changes to music production. For example, Sato’s own idol of his youth, and his current idol, the idol view of the two will be different, just like the pure son and love in the play

However, in recent years, there have been more and more “conceptualized” idols. For example, rock idols, heavy metal idols, soul liberation idols, etc., there have been many conceptual idols that focus on specific music genres or types. At the same time, large-scale idol groups like the Kitten Club, AKB48, Janis, and Good Morning are in different worlds. Because this idol group members have their own characteristics, their music and image will be eclectic and colorful

In this sense, making music for Fran Chou, perhaps closer to a large idol group, needs to consider how to make the most of each member’s material. In particular, as an animated character, Fran Chou members are far more distinctive than real-life idols, and have the unique and powerful nature of “zombies”; therefore, music also needs to emphasize diversity.

The songs of the first season of the animation are written after the script is given, according to the scene when the song is sung, what kind of face the show wants to show, and the requirements of the ancestors. Sato chewed all kinds of needs and finally got the current music. Therefore, rather than being a monolithic piece of music, it is better to say that the animation as a whole is matched

For example, the final episode of the animation “ヨミガエレ” is the music of C-street of Sakura Station, so Reflect the personality of Sakura. But in the end, what is the “sakura personality”? Among the members of Fran Chou, only Sakura does not have the title of “the legendary ○○○”. Although at the end of the first period, I finally saw the “sakura personality”, but the first period describes everything about Sakura? Sato still doesn’t understand. And this swaying sense of insecurity, reflected in music, became the tempo in “ヨミガエレ” And the avant-garde rock-style expansion

In addition, Sato said in an interview with the previous (Animage March issue), “ヨミガエレ”(Resurrection) This lyric is from the very beginning. Sato digs out from the musical point of view of “resurrection”. What is going on with the composer, the final result is the current song

The singer’s C song “Special DANCE ~ DAWN OF THE BAD” is very easy to understand, and it is the feeling of a bad girl. Sato believes that this song can’t be repeated and listened to understand that “it was such a person”, but the moment he heard it, he knew: “This is awkward!”

Love and Chunzi do not have a separate C-bit, but have “めRETURNER” and “ アツクナレ》Two songs that are jointly held by C.

Now, Sato thinks that it can be revealed: In fact, “アツクナレ” was originally “ヨミガエレ》

As the number one song of the main character Sakura, “ヨミガエレ” is undoubtedly in “Saga Idol is Legend” Important position. However, in the many songs produced for this mission, two capitals have won the favor of the production team, so that there are differences of opinion. After the dialogue was coordinated, the production team finally selected the current “ヨミガエレ”. It was a pity that the other one was so cold, so it was used in the seventh episode and became the current “アツクナレ 》

And the other double C-bit “SeeめRETURNER”, there is actually an anecdote that has never been made public. This song is written from the scene of “the song sung by the thunder”. Its electronic version is not written as neatly as a Techno Pop combination. The interval of the main melody is also the feeling of the East. This is because Fran Chou was in a state of electric shock that was thundered, and his body was out of control and could not sing so well. So although they want to sing as usual, the pitch will deviate significantly. In order to achieve this “miracle sense”, Sato worked hard with the engineers for several days before he did it, but he always forgot to tell everyone publicly

Lily’s C-part “To My Dearest” is a musical-style song that is very childlike. However, it is not surprising to make that feeling into a “song in a musical,” but as a “single song sung by an idol group.” When Sato and composer Yamashita Yosuke exchanged, he listened to the song of the creative singerさだまさし(Sada Yachi) and thought that this style might be good. So, Yamashita made a sample of the song, for everyone to listen to, decided on the spot

As for the wonderful C song “ようこそ佐贺へ”… Sato laughed, what kind of role is wonderful, has not yet been announced. However, although the idols of heavy metal or rock music are more than expected, but the whole song is a sly, awkward idol, I am afraid it is not that much

Fran Chou in the works is just the scale of the so-called “underground idol” and “local idol”, but the style span of music is closer to the large idol group. From a realistic point of view, this is incredible

Just like Fran Chou in the play, Yukiro Taro is almost alone in all aspects of the affairs. The idols who work hard in the local area are often run by a few staff, and the producers create almost all the pieces independently. So as Sato said in the previous article, many groups will choose a concept that specializes in this path

In reality, Fran Chou’s music production is a long-term exchange between a number of composers and Sato. Everyone, including the members of the concert, did not compromise, each held their own opinions, collided with each other, and made the present music together. Sato likes the feeling that everyone is working in the same direction. He also feels very good music and is very happy

However, Kotaro is a person who has done all the work of Sato and these composers. This is really too powerful. I don’t know if he is a genius or a hard worker. Perhaps in the sequel, you can look at his secrets

When asked about the key to making idol songs, Sato reiterated that different idol groups will make a big difference. However, he always pays attention to his heart, that is, to make a song that is a little higher than what is being done now. He hopes to sing this song, so that the idols can put a little bit together and climb to a new height. When fans see such a thing, they will want to support it more

Of course, if you are making songs for mature idols, Sato will start from different perspectives, thinking about what to show and how to show the charm of idols. But for idols that haven’t fully grown and are just getting started, it’s important to be able to decorate the songs of their growth experience

In a sense, a song is the “instant” performance of their growth. Especially the idols in their teens, there will be some songs, which were sung at that moment; some songs can’t be uttered when they leave that moment. If the song can be synchronized with an instant or scene in the idol’s growth process, the memory will be more profound under the power of music. It is because of that moment that the charm of the song will bloom

And Fran Chou’s songs are of course the same. It is because of the songs made in combination with the plot that we have the emotions that can only be conveyed at that moment. Leaving that scene and listening again, it will be different

Speaking of this, Sato has another question: the song should be decorated with idols. But Fran Chou is already a zombie. Will zombies grow?

However, as the saying goes, “Idol is a living method.” Sato thinks that this sentence also includes what he said earlier. He is often invited to watch the concerts of the groups he has worked with, and there will be moments of tears. He believes that idol songs are a kind of “tools” that make the moments of idols grow up and dazzling, inscribed in the memory of fans

[References].

• “Animage” October 2019