[Fish Sandwich]

I'm going to save my big thoughts on Kiva as a whole for my next big post, because this one is going to be long enough as it is. Like I said, I'm not quite done with the music gimmick yet, and even though I still won't ~quite~ be done after this, this is definitely going to the most elaborate one of these I do.

See, the first idea I had in mind as the thing I wanted to do in this thread was actually to give straight up translations for some of the songs in the show. This was quite a while back, which I know for sure because coincidentally, the day I gave up on that idea was also the day I wrote a translation for the Kikaider anime's ED over in DreamSword's thread, just a hair over a year back, apparently.

While that ended up going surprisingly smoothly, I had spent some time over the prior couple days getting nowhere translating Destiny's Play, and then came the realization that Die watching the OZC stuff meant he'd be getting to see, in show, a translation of that exact song based off one written by my eternal fansubbing idol, one of the people who indirectly got me interested in this whole translation business to begin with. I was not going to top that! And since I was only giving Destiny's Play a shot to see how it felt before really committing to the idea, I didn't, let the whole concept go, and once the thread actually started, quickly stumbled upon the format you've seen from me here instead.

That all being said, there are a handful of TETRA-FANG songs I've never given that much attention prior to this thread, and I was so struck by how much I liked the Message trilogy after ignoring it for so long, that I decided to give the translation thing a shot again, because there really aren't many out there for these songs. (I will give a quick shout-out here to the single person I came across who did the second and third songs at all.) Which is a huge shame! It's a great group of intimate little tunes that provide a lot of insight into Wataru's state of mind throughout the show, the same way Destiny's Play and Supernova do – only more mellow. I love 'em all so much now that simply describing the gist of the lyrics like I have been feels totally inadequate.

Part of the reason I hesitate to do a song translation especially is because after a point, it sort of inevitably stops being Fujibayashi's words and starts being mine, and I don't think those words are going to be as good, but, if you'll forgive me for being a little loose in some spots, a little clunky in others, and rather beige all around, I'm confident enough I've put something together that can at least easily give you a good feel for each of these songs without requiring any further deciphering, even if it will only ever be strictly my interpretation.

So without further ado, let's take a look at each of them, and a look back at the series and its music in the process.

(First up is the very original Message, more formally known as Message [Tribute to Father], as most songs on the Supernova mini album have a subtitle like that. This is generally related to a form name, as the album, released not too long after Emperor debuted in the show, consisted largely of the songs written for each form that had been playing over the episodes in the preceding couple months. Though weirdly Emperor Form itself is styled as "Empire form". Anyway, as you can guess from those brackets, Message is all about Wataru's relationship with Otoya, and how much he looks to him for strength. It's written very much from the perspective of the early-series Wataru that was still scared to even step outside his house. This one could be considered Otoya's message to his son.)

まだ暗い朝の街を闇が少し溶けてゆくよ
On a morning that's still gloomy, the darkness slowly begins to fade away
Tell me, 僕が探している答えにもいつかはまぶしい光が射す?
Tell me, will a bright light ever shine on the answer I'm searching for as well?
もしあなたが此処にいたのならなんて云うのかな... 教えて
If you were here with me, what would you say? Let me know
遥か遠い時に祈った
I sent this prayer to a far-off time
朝と夜の色混ざるグラデーション
Morning and night, their colors mixed in gradation
二度と無い景色ありのままだから美しいYour message...?
It's a scene that's one of a kind, beautiful just the way it is. Is that your message?
See me 僕は歩き出して
See me, I've started walking forward
自分の早さでいい地図さえなくてもいい
I'm fine if I go my own pace, I'm fine even without a map
もしあなたがそばにいたのなら何を話すだろう... 大丈夫
If you were by my side, I wonder, what would you talk about? It's alright
空は僕の真上にいつも
The sky will always be right there above me
雲が形変え風に流れてく
The clouds change shape, carried along by the wind
変わってくものと 変わらない大切なものとYour message
Things that change, precious things that don't, and your message
朝と夜の色混ざるグラデーション
Morning and night, their colors mixed in gradation
二度と無い瞬間忘れない
It's a moment that's one of a kind, that I won't ever forget
雲が形変え風に流れてく
The clouds change shape, carried along by the wind
変わってくものと変わらない大切な物と...
Things that change, precious things that don't...
いつだって受け取れるのさYour message
and me, always here to receive your message

(Following that up is Prayer~Message2, which was originally part of the Destiny album released later on in December, right as the show was moving into its final stretch. Fittingly, it's from the perspective of Wataru somewhere after that first quarter; still constantly doubting himself, and yet even the difference in the things he worries about makes it clear how much stronger he's grown. This one could be considered Wataru's message to his father.)

近くに感じてもねぇ永遠に追いつけない
No matter how close I get, I can never seem to catch up
さみしい影ふみみたいあなたは遠くて
Like I'm chasing after a shadow, you're always so far away
大切な人をたぶん見つけたんだ Can you hear me?
I think I've found someone I really care about. Can your hear me?
守り抜きたくて頼りなさ過ぎて自分が歯がゆくて
I want to protect them no matter what, but I'm so unreliable it's got me frustrated
あなたの音に溢れてる迷いのない強さを僕もいつか持てるなら
Your sound is overflowing with such unwavering strength, and if I could have that someday too
誰かを幸せに出来るそんな音奏でたい
I want to play a sound that can bring people happiness
届けこの祈り My little prayer
Let this wish reach you, my little prayer
毎日の速さにときどき心追いつかない
Every day moves at such a rapid pace, sometimes my heart can't keep up
昔の自分だったら逃げ出してたかも
If I were the way I used to be, I might've run away by now
大切な人が笑ってくれるなら Can you hear me?
If I can just see someone I care about smile... Can you hear me?
それだけで良くてでも難しくてまだまだ不器用で
That's all that matters, but it's still tough, and I'm still so lacking
あなたの音はいつだって染み込むよう優しく僕もいつか出来るかな
Your sound always leaves a deep impression of your kindness, and I wonder if I could do that someday too
自分だけの音見つけて世界を包み込むように
I want to find a sound all my own, and to let it cover the whole world
愛で満たしたい My little prayer
I'll fill it with my love, my little prayer
言葉よりももっと伝わるよ確かに Feel you あなたの祈り
It comes across clearer than any words; I feel you, and your wish
あなたの音に溢れてる迷いのない強さを僕もいつか…Promise
Your sound is overflowing with such unwavering strength, and someday I'll have that too, I promise
誰かを幸せに出来るそんな音奏でたい
I want to play a sound that can bring people happiness
届け祈り To your heart
Let my wish reach to your heart
自分だけの音見つけて世界を包み込むように
I want to find a sound all my own, and to let it cover the whole world
愛で満たしたい My little prayer
I'll fill it with my love, my little prayer

(Finally, from the Re-Union album, we have Beginning~Message3, which was also the last song on said album. This is important to note, because Re-Union came out over halfway into Decade's run, and its mere existence is a testament to how awesome Kiva's music truly is, as this simply doesn't happen for most Rider shows. It was a real last hurrah for Kiva, and as such, the lyrics ~sort of~ reflect the conclusion of the series, with Wataru reflecting on a hard-earned happy ending, and the notable distinction of Otoya finally joining in. However, the song is perhaps primarily made to be a final farewell from TETRA-FANG and Kiva as a whole, and in that context it really tugs at the old heartstrings. This one could be considered the band's message directly to you.)

まるで今日までの出来事がぜんぶ夢みたいに感じる
It's enough to make all that's happened seem almost like a dream
嵐去った後曇りない空この街を今包んで
The storm has passed, and the sky above is as clear as can be
何かが終わって何かの始まりが待ってるだろう
Something has reached its end, and something else is surely waiting to start
風が流れてくように自由に歩き出せばいい
You only need to set off in the direction you wish, as free as the wind
遠くなる声はじまる別れ
A voice fades into the distance, and we begin to part ways
じゃあまたねいつもみたいに笑って
I'll see you later, so smile the way you always do
憶えているよ永遠新しい夜明け探し Just begin
The memories will last forever, just begin the search for a brand new dawn
ただ側にいても思うことがぜんぶ伝わる訳じゃないよ
I could be right by your side, but that alone won't let you know everything I'm feeling
ずっと離れても繋がった心届くこともあるはず
Even if we're always apart, our connected hearts can still reach one another too
始まりの音が君の耳聴こえているのなら
If the sound of a new beginning is reaching your ears
古い荷物は持たずにそのまま歩き出せばいい
You only need to set off, leaving all your old luggage behind
明日の方へまた逢えるまで
Heading towards tomorrow, until we can meet again
じゃあまたねここで一度さよなら
I'll see you later, this is goodbye for now
繰り返すのさそれぞれ出逢いと別れそして Just begin
The cycle keeps on going, just begin all those meetings and farewells
ときどき不安な夜が来たら覗いてみればいい
Whenever an uneasy night comes, simply look inside
今ここでは1人だけれど Forever in your heart
You may be alone right now, but forever in your heart
これまでに出逢った愛が見つかるはず
You'll find all the love you've encountered along the way
遠くなる声はじまる別れ
A voice fades into the distance, and we begin to part ways
じゃあまたねいつもみたいに笑って
I'll see you later, so smile the way you always do
憶えているよ永遠新しい夜明け探し Just begin
The memories will last forever, just begin the search for a brand new dawn
明日の方へまた逢えるまで
Heading towards tomorrow, until we can meet again
じゃあまたねここで一度さよなら
I'll see you later, this is goodbye for now
繰り返すのさそれぞれ出逢いと別れそして Just begin
The cycle keeps on going, just begin all those meetings and farewells