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".
羅針盤
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
欲望が詰まる感情論
踏み出すその一歩が君が下すジャッジさ
歩幅なんかは気にしないでいい
ぶっ飛ばすから
鳴呼、欲情煮詰まっている
きっとその果て
唯一、希望の影
何で満たすの？
情熱の羅針盤は未来をいつも指している
ほつれる蜘蛛の糸
切れそうでもつたって行く
情熱の羅針盤は君の胸にはありますか？
その針震えて
クルっと廻って未来を指す
情熱の羅針盤は未来をいつも指している
ほつれる蜘蛛の糸
切れそうでもつたって行く
消えないで灯火
未来をいつも指していて
鳴呼、君のその針は
未来、希望、目指している？
The lyrics of the ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION's song, "Compass," essentially speaks about a compass that points to the future and passion being the driving force that guides individuals towards their destination. The first verse talks about how one's impulsive judgment is typically based on one's desires and emotions. The second verse functions as a call-to-action for people to take the first step towards their goals without worrying about the size of their strides or the obstacles in their way. The chorus repeats the line "the compass of passion always points to the future," emphasizing the importance of chasing one's passion.
The third verse talks about how passions can get entangled with emotions and result in confusion where an individual never understands what fills a void completely. The bridge talks about how the compass of passion is like a spider's web, which may unravel at any time, but those who follow it diligently will ultimately reach their desired future. The final verse repeats the chorus to emphasize that passion is what guides individuals ahead, towards a hopeful future, and that it's best to have one's passion well-rooted, like a compass that always points in the right direction.
Line by Line Meaning
衝動で腐ってる君が下すジャッジは
The judgment you make when acting impulsively is based on emotions fueled by desires.
欲望が詰まる感情論
It's a theory of emotions that's full of desires.
踏み出すその一歩が君が下すジャッジさ
The judgment you make when taking the first step forward is your own.
歩幅なんかは気にしないでいい
You don't need to worry about your stride.
ぶっ飛ばすから
Just go for it.
鳴呼、欲情煮詰まっている
Oh, your desire is boiling over.
くるくると巡っている
It keeps circulating around and around.
きっとその果て
Surely, its end is...
唯一、希望の影
The only shadow of hope.
何で満たすの？
How can you fulfill it?
情熱の羅針盤は未来をいつも指している
The compass of passion always points to the future.
ほつれる蜘蛛の糸
The loose thread of a spider web.
切れそうでもつたって行く
Even if it looks like it might break, you keep going.
情熱の羅針盤は君の胸にはありますか？
Do you have the compass of passion in your heart?
その針震えて
That needle is trembling.
クルっと廻って未来を指す
It spins around and points to the future.
消えないで灯火
Don't fade, light.
未来をいつも指していて
Always pointing to the future.
鳴呼、君のその針は
Oh, that needle of yours...
未来、希望、目指している？
Are you aiming for the future and hope?
Contributed by Adam P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.