There was a very good OP released recently. At least, it was hell of a lot better, in my opinion, than most of the pop shit that comes out by the mass production brains nowadays. And of course, that OP is none other than Tytania’s OP song, a change from the norm, the Japanese opera song “Ano Sora wo, Ike” by tenor Nishikiori Ken.

Now quite frankly I have no idea if it was a well-known orchestra he is with, or whether it was one that had done the OP and its accompanying BGMs and music, but it works for me. Other than him being a tenor though, I really have no idea of his background. It still is very fitting however, for such a song to be used as the OP for Tytania, and of course, if you catch the way the OP and ED animations are done, you will realize that this song is actually the anthem of the Tytania clan itself.

Though I do not understand all the lyrics, what I do know thanks to the available fansub translations of the song itself by ANBU Fansubs and Deer Fansubs makes it indeed quite the worthy anthem for the clan of Tytania.
 

The song itself is very powerfully sung, as can be expected from a tenor, and though it is in Japanese, it loses none of its grandeur, sung with fervor and a dash of nobility with lots of dignity and pride. The title, “Ano Sora wo, Ike”, roughly means “Towards That Space, Let’s Go” when literally translated. The word “sora” used here refers not to the sky or space actually, but rather the universe. In ANBU’s translation, it is “Conquer the universe”. In a sense, ANBU has it down better than a traditional or literal translation, but keep in mind that using old or royal English to translate it is harder.

“Ano Sora wo, Ike” has been added to my list of songs that I plan to ask people for translations in. I hope that I will be able to, when I finally get around to it, put it in royal English to preserve the color and pride that the song is sung with in Japanese.

The two BGMs that come in the CD hardly impress me though, but it may be perhaps that I do not enjoy such classical orchestra most of the time. The only exception must have been Ouran High School Host Club’s OST thus far, among the other OSTs that featured opera music but not prominently so. The karaoke version of the OP, as can be expected, also stands out in its own right, well played with excellence to my amateurish musical inclinations. The song’s instrumental bridge was exceptionally well done, perhaps to portray the works of the orchestra. I must say it was a nice touch, with grand mixtures of, if I am not wrong, the violin, the trumpets and other familiar instruments associated with an orchestra.
 

Certainly, for those who enjoy Tytania, or classical music of sorts, or just orchestra music, I would recommend this single. It is, of course, not for everyone, but surely, giving it a try will not hurt.

Now my comrades…
 

Ano sora wo, ike~!

Related posts:

1. Tytania 21 – Ano Sora wo, Ike
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3. 2008 in Retrospect – Anime OP Theme Songs
4. Sengoku Basara OP – JAP
5. Spice and Wolf II Opening Theme Review