Stamped: July 14th, 2007 | Related Posts
Tagged: anime soundtrack, gundam seed destiny, Houko Kuwashima, Maaya Sakamoto, naomi shindou, Rie Tanaka, Toshihiko Sahashi, yuki kajiura.

It’s my second post about Toshihiko Sahashi. Last time it was about his original work on anime “Simoun” (2006), an all-girl anime.
This time we’ll focus on his work on the “Gundam Seed Destiny” anime (2004-2005), the second TV series set in the Cosmic Era universe of Gundam, more virile, with lotsa boys and mechas.

The four soundtracks are amazing. Toshihiko Sahashi is a classical composer, so here below you will find a lot of symphony orchestra tracks. It might not be your cup of tea but it’s really worth discovering.

The good news is that my Yuki Kajiura did participate in 3 of those 4 soundtracks. Even if it’s a tiny little participation, it’s still appreciated and of course, this participation features in the playlists below.

NB1 : Note that Yuki Kajiura did sign two of the EDs of that anime with “Life goes on” (2nd ED) and “Kimi wa Boku ni Niteiru” See Saw (4th ED) as well as one insert song with FictionJunction Yuuka “Honoo No Tobira”.
She also signed other songs for the “Gundam seed” anime but that will not be the topic of today’s post.

NB2: The Gundam Japanese cast (Seiyuu) has two of our favorite voices : Naomi Shindou (Shizuru’s Seiyuu) dubbing Cagalli Yula Athha and Torii (robot bird) ; Maaya Sakamoto playing Lunamaria Hawke and Mayu Asuka.

Houko Kuwashima who sings one Kajiura song below plays Stella Loussier and Rie Tanaka who also sings Kajiura songs in those OSTs plays the part of Lacus Clyne and Meer Campbell.

When I definitely run out of Kajiura posts, I will review the Gundam seed/destiny “Bridge” Best of, featuring lots of Kajiura compositions. Including a track sung by a male singer (how weird is that?).
And if you are nice, I’ll put one of “the song” from the Symphony Gundam seed album, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. It’s a Kajiura one.

Back to our main topic, instead of putting all the tracks in the same playlist, I decided to split them by albums. Given that it’s classical orchestral music, I think it’ll be less uninviting to listen to those bits by bits.

You can skip Sahashi tracks but not the Kajiura ones… Just kidding. Personnally, I really prefer OST3. You have to listen to that playlist!

Gundame Seed Destiny OST 1 (2004)

This first soundtrack is really classical. Don’t expect surprises. The others are a little more varied.

1. Teisen no Hate ni…: Beautiful instrumental. It’s like we’re flying high, discovering new horizons.

2. Unmei no Tobira: Very epic. I have not seen the “Gundam seed destiny” anime, but just for the soundtracks it would be worth giving it a try.

3. Nikurashimi Arebasoko: Again, a beautiful orchestral track. Short but powerful.

4.COLONY~Semaru Inbou: Dark uncanny intro, it gives you the creeps.

5. Mebaeta Okori: This one is dark and uncanny as well. Sorry for the lack of description.

6. Nazo no Kiri: Amazingly dark. Strained tension.

7. Minerva Navigation: Totally different mood from the tracks above. This one is calm and optimistic. I really love that theme. Totally breathtaking!!!

8. Nouryoko to Shi to: Sad, ethereal tune. Very uncluttered compared to the more complex orchestral tracks before.

9. Fields of Hope: Yuki Kajiura song sung by Rie Tanaka (Seiyuu and Singer). It’s Kajiura, so it’s beautiful. Very moving ballad.

Gundam Seed Destiny OST 2 (2005)

The soundtracks gets more and more varied in style.

1.Shikkoku no Kuukan:

2.Senkyou Henka: This string track is very Philipp Glass-like. I love it. It’s really eerie.

3. Kantai Shiki: You just get caught in it right from the start. Orchestral beauty. You have to listen to the whole track!

4. Kakusei Shin Asuka: The Gudam theme once again. Can’t get enough of it. It’s so epic and chevalresque.

5. Koerarenu Kabe: Different style. It’s a piano bar track. Perfect intro for the next track.

6. Yuuwaku: A jazzy track! What a good surprise. Piano.

7. Umi to Sora to Kaze to: Ethereal track.

8. Shinkai no Kodoku: Kajiura track sung by Houko Kuwashima (Seiyuu and Singer). You just recognize the violin intro right away. It’s the Kajiuran signature. I love the melody.

Gundam Seed Destiny OST 3 (2005)

This is my fave OST, it’s a real pearl. Kajiura composed 4 of the tracks in the album. But I’m mainly fond of that OST because Toshihiko started to use choirs in his orchestration which really gives more emotion and strenght to the composition.
I put all the tracks featuring choirs at the beginning. And at the end of the playlist, you will hear the 4 Kajiura tracks.

1. Aratanaru Chikara to Seigi: “Renewed Strenght and Justice”. You really feel it, that feeling of pride and rightness. This track is absolutely wonderful, especially when the high pitch chant chimes in. It gives way to the the orchestra but then comes back, like gracefully announcing a victory. The ending is terrific!

2. Kira, Sono Kokoro no Mama ni: Electric guitars accompany the orchestra, it’s awesome, but wait, there is more to come. The beautiful angelic bewitching high pitch chant comes in again and it’s amazing. Absolutely blissful

3. Shuunen no Ichigeki: “Spiteful Blow”. This time we are greeted by impressive male choirs. Gorgeous.

4. Fukushuu ~ Freedom Gekiha: “Freedom defeated”, more of a military rhythm. But there is a light choir that lightens the mood.

5. You no Shizumu Koku: “The slowly sinking sun”. It’s really eerie yet so beautiful after the darker part is passed, but it will not last long before we’re slowly back to darkness.

6. Dassou: “Escape”, I love the theme, gorgeous.

7.Yaiba no Saki: I love this theme.

8. Wakare no Kioku: “Face forward”, a lighter mood. Feather notes carress your ears. So sad. Piano track.

9. Nageki no Uta: “Poem of Lament”, another piano track, also sad, but in a more dramatic way. So moving, heartbreaking.

10. Stella no Kizu:”Stella’s wound”, Yuki Kajiura track. It follows Toshihiko’s general style. But you can hear a hint of the “Shinkai no Kodoku” theme.

11. Shinkai no Namida:”Tears of the deep sea”. Here as well, a variation of the “Shinkai no Kodoku” melody. Beautifully sad.

12. Kanamishi no Stella: “Stella the sorrowful”. I guess Kajiura was in charge of the Stella theme that is rather depressing.

13. Kimi to Boku, Todo kanu Omoi: “Kimi wa Boku ni Niteiru” (”You resemble me”) instrumental theme. “Kimi wa Boku ni Niteiru is one of the “Gundam Seed Destiny” ending theme, sung by “See Saw”, Kajiura’s former band.

Gundam Seed Destiny OST 4 (2006)

I put the tracks featuring choirs first and then some more rhytmic songs and I ended with piano tracks.
The last track is the Kajiura “Kimi wa Boku ni Niteiru” theme.

1. Saigo no Seisen Ken no Saki, Fuan to Namida: It’s start heroically, and goes through a period of peace before reaching the lost paradise where we are greeted by a wonderful chant. It’s absolutely thrilling.

2. Kotoba no Oku ni…: Violins building the tension until serenity is reached. Heavenly chants wrap up the track. It’s short but worth it.

3. Kuroi Hadou: Male choir, very imposing.

4. Inbou: Dark, gothic song with the organ and the male choir. Very eerie.

5. Saigo no Seisen ~ Ikari: The Gundam theme in a dramatic way.

6. Shuumatsu no Anji: Metal track with strings! And later on, eletric guitars.

7. Omokage: Beautiful orchestral track, peaceful and romantic.

8. Kanashiki Kako: I love sad tracks, it makes me feel conscious about myself.

9. Kira, Sono Mezame to Ketsui: Beautiful but sad. Synth.

10. Kokuchi: Heartbreakingly sad track. It feels like the piano is crying at every touch.

11. Taichikiremu Ai: Sad piano solo.

12. Sakai to Ketsubetsu: “Kimi wa Boku ni Niteiru” theme, just like in the OST 3 track “Kimi to Boku, Todo kanu Omoi”