LOUDEST BUGS
Ibuki's entrance into AKATSUKI has insensitive parallels to the history between Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, specifically the annexation of Ryukyu into Okinawa from 1872-1879 onward. Click for more information
AKATSUKI is a unit embodied by 和 (wa, lit. harmony, but also a self-designator for Japan). The word 和風 (wafu, Japanese style) comes from 和. During the Meiji Restoration, 和 was central to Japan’s efforts to unify and assimilate new territories under a shared cultural identity. On top of his membership, Ibuki's active pursuit of 本当の和風 (true Japanese-style) being the reason he pursues AKATSUKI is inappropriate, bearing this in mind.
Additionally, the Ryukyu Disposition was driven by military interests, particularly securing Japan's southern borders from other nations. In Okinawan schools, national pride was linked to serving Japan’s military goals. This had devastating consequences, particularly during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. This in mind, having Ibuki join the self-proclaimed "war unit" is also inappropriate.
Read the full-length analysis here: Unpacking Shinsei (新生) AKATSUKI; An Extended Translation Note and Analysis.
Notice: Edits and additions to Unpacking Shinsei (新生) AKATSUKI; An Extended Translation Note and Analysis are in progress, and will be released for the Battalion Butterfly event story and LOUDEST BUGS event song. Thank you for your patience!
⦿ Edits may be made to the lyrics translation after the event comes out: the story will likely give context to these lines.
Please check Translation Notes for more details and Interpretation Notes for translation choices in the song.
| Voice | Line | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verse | ||
| Souma | A stark, picturesque vista sweeps across the wasteland. Be terrified by this feeling of reality. | 00:07 |
| Ibuki | Those who fail to carve the essential into their hearts will be shown no mercy, sifted out. | 00:13 |
| Keito, Kuro | The path chosen with wholehearted devotion: | 00:19 |
| Souma, Ibuki | Wear it with pride, even if it means stumbling through pain and agony | 00:23 |
| All | For that is the crucible of a life in its first flush of green. | 00:26 |
| All | Who are you? | 00:29 |
| Break | ||
| Ibuki | You Run1 beneath the scorching sun. | 00:33 |
| Keito, Kuro | Sway-ing.2 A mirage. | 00:36 |
| Souma | We tour3 the water's edge, toasting with clinking cups. | 00:40 |
| Chorus | ||
| All | Now go! Traverse the Landscape! Break away and take off in the Loudest swing! | 00:45 |
| All | Like the true monarch of this land. | 00:48 |
| Souma | Bugs with no voice of your own, raise your signal fires. | 00:52 |
| Souma, Ibuki | Make your presence known. | 00:55 |
| Keito, Kuro | Sharpen the blade of Metamorphoses, this Alert of your soul. | 01:00 |
| Souma | The wilds awaken as they please. | 01:05 |
| Verse | ||
| Kuro | In the end, it’s all just a mob of riffraff, a smokescreen of falling scales. | 01:23 |
| Keito | You point your stinger down the road, unaware that poison is poison. | 01:30 |
| Souma, Ibuki | Every last thing is the work of trivialities. | 01:36 |
| Keito, Kuro | Distracted by the frivolity of a Butterfly, | 01:39 |
| All | The crucible of a merry, dancing life. | 01:41 |
| All | Who are you? | 01:46 |
| Bridge | ||
| Ibuki | You Fly, Sympathetically. | 01:49 |
| Kuro, Souma | Sway-ing, drunk. | 01:52 |
| Keito | Let's toast to our lightning-forged pact. | 01:56 |
| Chorus | ||
| All | Now go! Advance into the Landscape! Flapping is the Loudest. | 02:02 |
| All | Aim for the pinnacle of your existence | 02:05 |
| Kuro | Tenacious Bugs, as far as the eye can see. | 02:08 |
| Kuro, Ibuki | Work to dye the land with your own ideals. | 02:11 |
| Keito, Souma | Go into the next sky, Metamorphoses, the Alert of your soul. | 02:16 |
| All | Expose your inner wildness. | 02:21 |
| Bridge | ||
| Keito, Ibuki | Stirring up a wind with a bustle, | 02:26 |
| Kuro, Souma | Paying no mind to the storm of fluttering petals. | 02:29 |
| All | Onward to a new world, sealing this searing heat within your heart. | 02:33 |
| Souma | Once more. Ask yourself. Who are you? | 02:41 |
| Souma, Ibuki | Answer, with that will. | 02:48 |
| Chorus | ||
| All | Now go! Advance into the Landscape! Flapping is the Loudest. | 02:52 |
| All | Aim for the pinnacle of your existence | 02:56 |
| Keito | Tenacious Bugs, as far as the eye can see. | 02:59 |
| Keito, Kuro | Work to dye the land with your own ideals. | 03:02 |
| Souma, Ibuki | Go into the next sky, Metamorphoses, the Alert of your soul. | 03:07 |
| All | Expose your inner wildness. | 03:12 |
| Outro | ||
| Souma | Resolve to never stay down, no matter how many times you're trampled. | 03:17 |
| Keito, Kuro, Ibuki | Live with dignity, and enchant them all! | 03:24 |
| All | It is only natural. | 03:27 |
Interpretation Notes
⦿ The role of the Blue Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland is to confront her with her sense of self. Alice grew up under the etiquette and sensibilities of Victorian England. However, since she enters Wonderland, she loses that comforting identity she once knew, as well as her sense of self. The trademark question the caterpillar asks is "Who are you?", getting to the heart of this theme.
⦿ This song gets at process of growing from past experiences and trials, and becoming a new person (Metamorphesis). What Alice goes through in the story is the growth from being a quaint, polite Victorian girl, into someone more independent and aware. This scares her, but it's a natural part of growing up.
⦿ So, from that metamorphesis, you burst forward into a new life, take the experiences you have with you, and do the best you can to reach your potential.