I’ve never played the game since I never owned a PS2, so I shall not speak of what I lack knowledge of. However, I can confidently say that I’ve looped through its theme song, Karma, for at least a few hundred times ever since I started listening to Bump of Chicken back in 2006. I was quite surprised that the anime adaptation’s using Karma as the opening theme song too. With this, Bump of Chicken will now have 2 songs out of their entire discography related to anime. In case you’re wondering, the other song is Sailing Day, which was the ending theme song for one of the One Piece movies.
Now, I’m more than overjoyed that Bump of Chicken will be getting much more exposure to the mainstream listeners. Even though they already have quite a sturdy fan base in Japan, and quite a number of overseas fans, I still get the “Bump of WHAT?” reaction when I mention them, even to people who have some form of contact with Japanese pop culture, be it anime or Japanese pop.
However, there’s something that I worry about, and that’s anime watchers relating Bump of Chicken only to the theme song of Tales of the Abyss. This is something that has already occurred to many Japanese pop artistes. Take Naruto and Asian Kungfu Generation for example. If you ask those who have been watching Naruto about AKFG, majority would tell you that they’re awesome because they did a Naruto opening song. Seldom will you find these viewers actually going beyond the theme song and exploring more of the band’s work. This only means that they merely appreciate the song, and not the band itself. At least that’s how it seems to me. They’re just fair-weathered fans.
There’s a lot more to these guys than just Haruka Kanata
What’s worse is that some of these people might go around saying that they listen to a band, when the only song they listen to are the theme songs that the band does for their favourite anime. I might be sounding like an elitist, but in my opinion, these people aren’t even fans. I might even go as far as saying that they are somewhat insulting the band. From how I see it, it’s like saying that this band’s good only because they happen to release a popular song. I really hate it. That’s not music appreciation, that’s trend chasing.
Although I started off with Bump of Chicken after I heard Sailing Day, I’ve grown to love them for their style and sound, not just for only one song. I’m quite pleased that the Bump of Chicken listeners whom I’ve met, be it offline or online, appreciate the band on a whole, rather than just one or two songs that happen to be a theme song for a certain media.
Hopefully, even after the release of the anime adaptation of Tales of the Abyss, the future Bump of Chicken listeners whom I meet will not go ” Bump of Chicken rocks because they did the OP for the Tales of the Abyss anime”.
Bump of Chicken rocks because they did the OP of the GAME of Tales of the Abyss… LOL!
I’ve to agree with you at some point, that people will only like the musics that are in the OP or ED of a popular anime, but there are cases like yours that you listen the music in a anime and tries to find out more about the band and other musics. But yeah, most Narutards just like AKFG because of Haruka Kanata.
hey dudes! bump of chicken rocks because they are like rock gods (lol; bad pun) - not ‘coz their songs got picked for OP/ED for anime… heh
fyi, check this out ya..
BUMPCHIKI
look at their Super live concert…soo many are there to listen to them, wish i was one of them.
I guess you’re right.
I first heard of Bump of Chicken after I started playing Tales of The Abyss about a year ago.
Well, I only know Karma, the OP for the series, which rocks.
Maybe I should listen to more of their music.
As for AKFG, they are awesome!
Haruka Kanata is nothing when you compare it with other songs from AFKG.
Deathy > To me, that’s what music appreciation is all about.
aeffav > OMG THANKS! I wish I can attend one of BUMP’s live concert some day too.
Setsukyie > BUMP’s awesomeness simply can’t be described in words. You have to feel it in the music and the lyrics.
I didn’t like Karma at first because it felt so out of place for a Tales of game, but it eventually grew on me. Sadly, I can’t say the same for their other songs though. Fortunately in AKFG’s case, their stuff remain on my playlist even after all these years.
Being of the Tales fandom first and foremost, I began listening to Bump of Chicken after playing Tales of the Abyss. Since then, I’ve listened to nearly every single song they’ve released and loved pretty much all of them. Some songs I love much more than Karma, but it’s Karma that has a wonderful sense of nostalgia when I hear it.
It’s wonderful to see the anime retaining the game’s OP, and I’m hoping they’ll also carry over ~Fuka~ (which Fujiwara also composed) from the game as either an insert and/or an ED. Not only will it save some money on one side, but the fans of the game will also have that sense of familiarness.
In addition, there’s also a strategy for reusing Karma, being that many of the softer remixes used within the game set its tone. The lyrics of the song itself also frames the game’s story, especially in the latter half. Maybe we’ll get a few more Karma remixes from this. XD
that is awesome, i cant wait for tales of the abyss
Holy shit is that a new PV? This anime, even if 1/2 the game, will be made of delicious caek that must be eaten.
/eats
Shin > What kind of music plays along with your tune?
otaku dan > Who can?
C.I. > Go listen to more of BUMP’s music.
double ~ ur very welcome! only thing i can do for a fellow rabid Bump fan..i don’t know many from Sg. I’m long term planning to watch their live.. huhuhu
err..hopefully
btw do u know where we can buy the band goods.. they don’t promote much aye..
n did u know if Bump ever collaborate in music for Ghost in the Shell S.A.C? i saw a description of it in CDJapan website..
If you’re planning to watch their live, there’s going to be a lot of precise organisation to be done.
As for the band goods, as far as I know, you can only get them at their lives. There’s no specific store selling the stuff, although you can try stuff such as yahoo japan auctions.
As far as I can recall, BUMP didn’t have anything to do with GiTS.
Karma really does set the mood for the game, and I adore the songs Fujiwara composed for the game. <3 I’ve been meaning to look into more of their work, but JPop CDs are hard to find in my area :(.
Hi there, I’m looking for bump of chicken and I found this blog x))
I really love your perspective about who deserved to be called fans.
I hate anything like trend chasing, too. And I have to say I often questioning why not so many Japanese lovers knew the Bumps.
It’s very nice to get into your page so I can find a friend to share about them X3
Anyway I don’t have all their singles’ mp3 *I have all the albums songs, though* so I’m not as know-their-all as you do xP
Yoroshiku ne~~____^