The four of them came together in the music club of their university in 1996; for Gotoh, Kita, and Yamada, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION was the first band they ever formed.
After a while, they began to perform at the school and in the local Yokohama area. Interestingly, their first songs were all written in English and, in fact, their first independent 6 track album (released in 2000) was entirely sung in English. The CDs were sold at concerts and over the internet.
In 2001, beginning with "YMD" they held many self-planned events at Yokohama's CLUB24.
Once "Konayuki," the first song in which they used Japanese lyrics, was completed, they sent copies to all the independent shows on the FM stations, and were consequently able to get their music played for the first time on FM radio.
After that, they released their second CD of original works, this time using Japanese lyrics. It achieved great success within the region and at all the Live Houses.
From this time on, starting at Shibuya, Shimokitazawa, Kichijouji and other places, they started putting on shows famed for their energy.
In 2002, they submitted a track to the Underflow Records Compilation CD. In November of the same year, they released "Houkai Amplifier," their first Mini Album to be produced professionally. This album, which would decide their future, debuted in the number 1 spot of Highline Records weekly charts, and also made it to the number 35 spot in the Oricon Indies Chart.
On April 4, 2003, "Houkai Amplifier" was re-released under Ki/oon Records. That summer, they appeared at FUJI ROCK (on the "ROOKIE A GO GO" stage), and at SUMMER SONIC '03 in Osaka.
Following their October 16, 2003 single "Kimi to Iu Hana," their first full album "Kimi Tsunagi Five M" was released on November 19.
From January 19 to February 25 2004, they went on the "five nano seconds" tour. All shows immediately sold out and were a massive success.
In 2004, their first proper single "Siren" and their second single, the iconic "Loop & Loop," were released, the former on April 14th and the latter on May 19th.
Their self-planned event ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION presents "NANO-MUGEN FEST" took place on July 1st at Nihon Budoukan and, that summer, they appeared live at festivals in areas all over the country. On August 4th, their new single "Rewrite" was released, followed by "Kimi no Machi Made" on September 23rd.
On October 20, 2004, their long-awaited new album "Sol-fa" was released and this really pushed the band to the forefront of the J-Rock scene. Then, on November 2nd, they started their second national tour: ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION Tour Suihai No!
June 8 2005 saw the release of "NANO-MUGEN COMPILATION," an album composed of songs from various acts, both Japanese and English-language alike. Included was their first single after "Sol-fa": "Blackout." Later, the band released their first real single in over a year; "Blue Train."
In 2006, the band released another single "World Apart," followed by their third album, "Fanclub." A month later, they released their latest album "Feedback File," which includes live versions of some of their most popular tracks.
Their song "Haruka Kanata" was chosen to be a theme song for the anime series "Naruto," and the popular single "Rewrite" was selected as a theme song to the hit anime series "Fullmetal Alchemist." The song "Aru Machi no Gunjou" was used in the animated movie "Tekkon Kinkreet," and the song "After Dark" was used as a theme song for the animated series "BLEACH." The song "Maigo Inu to Ame no Beat" was used as the opening theme for the anime "The Tatami Galaxy".
センスレス
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
抜け落ちた白い花弁のよう
色を失って黒くなるだけ
液晶を世界の上辺が這う
音速のスピードで文字に酔う
醒めて冷えきって忘れ去るだけ
最終的に飲み込まれる心
画面の向こうに読み込まれた言葉
最終的に飲み込まれる心
見せかけのセンスレス
温度感も何もない
灰色の空を夢のように染めた
華やかな赤と緑のネオンサイン
歪んだ幻は朝になれば消える
僕らの心に跡だけ残して
行き交う人混みに溶ける
そんな毎日今日も明日も
無意識に歪んだ自意識とブランド・バッグ
濁って混ざり合う現代のスタンダード
それでも想いを繋いでよ
世界中を悲しみが覆って
君に手招きしたって僕はずっと
想いをそっと此処で歌うから
君は消さないでいてよ
闇に灯を 闇に灯を 心の奥の闇に灯を
闇に灯を 心の奥の闇に灯を
The song "センスレス" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation is a commentary on the modern society that is dominated by technology, consumption, and superficiality. The lyrics describe the experiences of an individual who is lost in the concrete jungle, surrounded by neon signs, brand names, and digital screens. The opening lines "意識が舞う" (consciousness dances) and "抜け落ちた白い花弁のよう" (like a fallen white petal) suggest a sense of disorientation and detachment from reality. The singer sees the world through the LCD screens that crawl with texts and symbols, but the message is often senseless and devoid of emotions. The chorus "見せかけのセンスレス" (fake senseless) highlights the hollowness of the images and sounds that bombard the senses, creating an illusion of glamour and excitement. The verse "自意識とブランド・バッグ" (self-consciousness and brand bags) reflects the obsession with material possessions and personal image that dominate people's lives, making them forget their true selves and their relationships.
The second verse introduces the theme of transience and impermanence, as the "華やかな赤と緑のネオンサイン" (bright red and green neon signs) are fleeting illusions that disappear with the light of day. The singer is aware of this fact, but still feels nostalgic and sad for the passing moments. The bridge "それでも想いを繋いでよ" (still, let's connect our feelings) suggests a ray of hope amidst the chaos and emptiness, as the singer appeals to someone to join him in creating a meaningful connection that transcends the superficial standards of society. The song ends with a plea to keep the inner light shining even in the darkness of the soul, as represented by the repeated phrase "闇に灯を心の奥の闇に灯を" (light up the darkness in the depths of your heart).
Overall, the lyrics of "センスレス" convey a sense of alienation, disillusionment, and longing for something more genuine and profound in life. The song critiques the consumerist culture and technology addiction that have eroded human relationships and stripped away the essence of humanity, but it also suggests that there is still a chance for redemption if we can find the courage to connect with our true feelings and values.
Line by Line Meaning
コンクリートの間を意識が舞う
My consciousness wanders through the spaces between concrete.
抜け落ちた白い花弁のよう
Like a fallen white petal.
色を失って黒くなるだけ
Fading into black without colour left.
液晶を世界の上辺が這う
The surface of the world crawls across the screen like liquid crystal.
音速のスピードで文字に酔う
Intoxicated by the speed of sound while reading words.
醒めて冷えきって忘れ去るだけ
Wake up, get cold, and forget it completely.
画面の向こうに読み込まれた言葉
Words loaded on the other side of the screen.
最終的に飲み込まれる心
A heart eventually consumed by them.
見せかけのセンスレス
Senseless deception.
温度感も何もない
With no sense of warmth, or anything else.
灰色の空を夢のように染めた
Coloured the grey sky like a dream.
華やかな赤と緑のネオンサイン
Bright neon signs of red and green.
歪んだ幻は朝になれば消える
Distorted illusions that will vanish by morning.
僕らの心に跡だけ残して
Leaving only traces in our hearts.
行き交う人混みに溶ける
Melting in the crowd of people passing by.
そんな毎日今日も明日も
Days like that, today and tomorrow too.
無意識に歪んだ
Unconsciously twisted.
自意識とブランド・バッグ
Self-consciousness and branded bags.
濁って混ざり合う
Muddying and mixing together.
現代のスタンダード
The standard of modern times.
それでも想いを繋いでよ
Even then, let our feelings connect.
世界中を悲しみが覆って
Sadness covering the entire world.
君に手招きしたって僕はずっと
Even if I beckon to you, I'm always.
想いをそっと此処で歌うから
Gently singing my feelings here.
君は消さないでいてよ
Please don't disappear.
闇に灯を闇に灯を心の奥の闇に灯を
Light a candle in the darkness of your heart.
闇に灯を心の奥の闇に灯を
Light a candle in the darkness of your heart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Masafumi Goto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
あいか
センスレスかっこいい〜
3:10の山ちゃんの笑顔がかわいいですね
Chris R
You sir, are a true hero...
M A R
I like this stage color, same as Gotoh's guitar
きょんしー
1:55からのシェイカーウルトラカッコいい
TEM4TEM
hell yeah this is awesome, is there a live of laika?
TEM4TEM
@SvenAKG thanks!
SvenAKG
@TEM4TEM https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bexdKoByEN5kglJcGMyWobRj4s3xmi-I/view?usp=drivesdk
TEM4TEM
@SvenAKG yeah that would be cool
SvenAKG
@TEM4TEM I can't upload but I can give the full Eizo Sakuhin Shu Vol.15 where Laika is on it
TEM4TEM
@SvenAKG r u able to upload it by chance? Never seen a live of laika