Although both perform under the FJ title and are collaborations with Kajiura, they are separate projects. FictionJunction songs have been featured in anime series such as Gundam Seed, Ookami Kakushi, and most recently Sacred Seven. As of August 2013 there are five vocalists: Kaori Oda, Keiko Kubota, Wakana Ootaki, Yuuka Nanri and Yuriko Kaida. Their concerts are typically titled "Yuki Kajiura Live" and include a backing band with Kajiura herself on keyboard.
Each member is credited with her own project name, except for Yuriko Kaida. They are presented in alphabetical order:
FictionJunction Kaori, with vocalist Kaori Oda (織田かおり). The duo performed two insert songs, "Tsubasa" and "Dream Scape", which were used in Tsubasa Chronicle. "Calling" was chosen as the ending for the anime series Baccano! and "Hanamori no Oka" (花守の丘 "Hill of the Flower Guardian"?), was used in Hokuto no Ken: Toki Den.
FictionJunction Keiko, with vocalist Keiko Kubota (窪田啓子). "Kaze no Machi e" (風の街へ?, "To the City of Wind") was used as an insert song in episodes 19 and 21 of Tsubasa Chronicle, and "Nohara" (野原?, "Field") was the B-side for the FictionJunction single "Toki no Mukou, Maboroshi no Sora". Vocalist Keiko Kubota is a member of Kalafina, another singing group created by Kajiura.
FictionJunction Wakana, with vocalist: Wakana Ootaki (大滝若菜). They performed two songs for the original soundtrack of Fist of the North Star True Saviour Legend: "Hikari no Yukue" (光の行方?, "Where the Lights Are") and the Japanese version of "Where the Lights Are" bonus track. FJ Wakana sang "Paradise Regained" (an insert song for El Cazador de la Bruja) and in the Pandora Hearts soundtrack. Vocalist Wakana Ootaki is also involved in Kalafina.
FictionJunction Yuuka, with vocalist: Yuuka Nanri (南里 侑香). Kajiura’s first, longest and best-known collaboration under the FictionJunction name. The project was originally titled "FictionJunction featuring Yuuka", but the "featuring" part was later dropped to shorten the name.[3] So far, they have released several singles and two full-length albums. Yuuka can also be heard in the Madlax OST.
Yuriko Kaida (貝田由里子). She first collaborated with Kajiura for the Noir soundtrack, in which she sang the songs that helped launched Kajiura's career: "Canta per me," "Salva nos" and "Lullaby." Since then Yuriko Kaida has provided vocals for many of Kajiura’s works, mainly as background chorus. Yuriko Kaida became a main FictionJunction vocalist until 2009, upon the release of the album "Everlasting Songs" and the single "Parallel Hearts.", lending her voice to “here we stand in the morning dew” and “Himitsu” in "Everlasting Songs" and providing vocals throughout the album.
FictionJunction Asuka, with vocalist Asuka Kato (加藤あすか). They performed "Everlasting Song", an insert song from anime series Elemental Gelade. Originally sung in English, "Everlasting Song" was re-recorded in Japanese and released as a single in 2005. It reached number 53 on the Oricon weekly chart and remained ranked for three weeks. As of 2012, Kato is working on her solo projects as Aira Yuhki and is no longer a FictionJunction singer.
Albums:
- "Everlasting Songs", announced November 20, 2008, features all FictionJunction vocalists: Yuuka, Keiko, Wakana, Kaori, Asuka, and Yuriko Kaida. It was released on February 25, 2009.
- "FictionJunction 2008-2010 The Best of Yuki Kajiura Live". The album contains recordings from Yuki Kajiura Live Vol.#2: 5. Tracks 1-4 on Disc 1 are from Yuki Kajiura Live Vol.#2. Tracks 5-8 are from Yuki Kajiura LIVE Vol.#3. Tracks 9-11 (FictionJunction Yuuka) and tracks 12-14 (FictionJunction) are from Yuki Kajiura Live Vol.#4: Everlasting Songs Tour 2009. The whole tracks of Disc 2 are new performances that have never been heard on DVDs and are from Yuki Kajiura Live Vol.#5: Japanese Seal SP Live. Hikaru of Kalafina and Yuriko Kaida performed the chorus in tracks 9-11 on Disc 1.
Parade
FictionJunction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
君が呟いた
ほの光る坂道で
愛と憧れの歌を叫んで
泣いて笑って登って行く
見上げても空には星もなく
未来は優しく黙り込んで
足取りを急き立てる
遠くまで僕らは歩く
諦めながら 輝きながら
眩しくて長かった夏に
明るいリズムを残して行く
君の parade
僕の parade
華やかに
永遠は
儚く消えたモノの中にいて
僕たちを見送った
あの日手放した光が今も
寂しい夜明けの空にある
まだ見ぬ街も知らない人も
何だか全てが懐かしいんだ
急がずに
もう少し行こうか
高らかに僕のリズム
響け
歌を歌おう
声を合わせ
一人で歌っていた旋律は
幾つもの声を重ねて
コーラスになる
遠くまで僕らは歩く
分かり合えずに
手を取り合って
寂しさは音楽になり
やがては愛を語り始める
朗らかに僕らは歩く
諦めながら 輝きながら
どうしても欲しかったものが
今はもう思い出せなくても
君の parade
僕の parade
遠くへ
祝祭の歌声
空に届け
The lyrics of FictionJunction's song "Parade" evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia as the singer contemplates the journey of life and love. The opening lines express uncertainty about how far the path will go, with the singer reminiscing about moments of sharing love and dreams on a shimmering hillside. The imagery of crying, laughing, and climbing together reflects the emotional ups and downs of relationships and personal growth.
The absence of stars in the sky symbolizes a lack of clear guidance or foresight into the future, leaving only the tender silence of possibilities. The bittersweet memories and wistful thoughts act as motivators, pushing the singer forward on their journey despite the uncertainties. The theme of perseverance and resilience while walking towards an unknown destination resonates throughout the song.
The chorus brings a sense of celebration and unity, as both the singer's and the listener's parades are described in a glamorous and vivid manner. The idea of walking into the distance while embracing both the hardships and the brilliance of life's experiences is highlighted, leaving behind a bright rhythm that echoes through time. The concept of the parade as a symbol of life's vibrant and diverse experiences is beautifully captured in this section.
The closing verses reflect on the fleeting nature of eternity and the beauty found in moments of loss and letting go. The singer finds solace in the shared experiences and connections with others, turning loneliness into music and eventually into expressions of love. The call to sing together, unite voices, and create a chorus embodies the theme of solidarity and finding strength through companionship on the journey of life. Ultimately, the uplifting and reflective tone of "Parade" reminds us to cherish the present moment, hold onto memories, and keep moving forward with hope and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
どこまで続くんだろうね
I wonder how far this path will go
君が呟いた
You whispered
ほの光る坂道で
On the faintly shining slope
愛と憧れの歌を叫んで
Shouting a song of love and longing
泣いて笑って登って行く
We climb, crying and laughing
見上げても空には星もなく
Even when looking up, there are no stars in the sky
未来は優しく黙り込んで
The future silently fades away gently
はにかんだ物思いだけが
Only shy thoughts hasten our steps
足取りを急き立てる
Urging us to walk faster
遠くまで僕らは歩く
We walk far away
諦めながら 輝きながら
While giving up, we still shine
眩しくて長かった夏に
In the bright and long summer
明るいリズムを残して行く
Leaving behind a bright rhythm
君の parade
Your parade
僕の parade
My parade
華やかに
Glamorously
永遠は
Eternity is
儚く消えたモノの中にいて
Being amidst things that have vanished fleetingly
僕たちを見送った
They saw us off
あの日手放した光が今も
The light we released on that day still
寂しい夜明けの空にある
Exists in the lonely morning sky
まだ見ぬ街も知らない人も
Even the unseen city and unknown people
何だか全てが懐かしいんだ
Somehow everything feels nostalgic
急がずに
Without haste
もう少し行こうか
Shall we go a little further?
高らかに僕のリズム
My rhythm loudly
響け
Resonate
歌を歌おう
Let's sing a song
声を合わせ
Joining voices
一人で歌っていた旋律は
The melody I sang alone
幾つもの声を重ねて
Layered with many voices
コーラスになる
Becomes a chorus
分かり合えずに
Without understanding each other
手を取り合って
Holding hands
寂しさは音楽になり
Loneliness turns into music
やがては愛を語り始める
Eventually, speaking of love
朗らかに僕らは歩く
We walk cheerfully
どうしても欲しかったものが
The things we desperately wanted
今はもう思い出せなくても
Even if we can't remember them now
遠くへ
Far away
祝祭の歌声
A festive song
空に届け
Reaching the sky
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Yuki Kajiura
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-mu4vo3jl8c
どこまで続くんだろうね
君が呟いた
ほの光る坂道で
愛と憧れの歌を叫んで
泣いて笑って登って行く
見上げても空には星もなく
未来は優しく黙り込んで
はにかんだ物思いだけが
足取りを急き立てる
遠くまで僕らは歩く
諦めながら 輝きながら
眩しくて長かった夏に
明るいリズムを残して行く
君の Parade
僕の Parade
華やかに
永遠は
儚く消えたモノの中にいて
僕たちを見送った
あの日手放した光が今も
寂しい夜明けの空にある
まだ見ぬ街も知らない人も
何だか全てが懐かしいんだ
急がずに
もう少し行こうか
高らかに僕のリズム
響け
歌を歌おう
声を合わせ
一人で歌っていた旋律は
幾つもの声を重ねて
コーラスになる
遠くまで僕らは歩く
分かり合えずに
手を取り合って
寂しさは音楽になり
やがては愛を語り始める
朗らかに僕らは歩く
諦めながら 輝きながら
どうしても欲しかったものが
今はもう思い出せなくても
君の Parade
僕の Parade
遠くへ
祝祭の歌声
空に届け
@TheSeeking2know
I watched LiSA's Netflix special and she was respectful of Yuki Kajiura even while working on "from the edge". She recognizes the musical genius and immense impact of Kajiura and took direction on the vocal performance from her, even though she (LiSA) is a well-established artist and singer.
I also saw that she started taking vocal classes with a veteran teacher who seems to have some classical background. This all started during the pandemic period. I am glad she is working on improving her technique in spite of her success and very loved/known voice.
That's what I always wished for the Kalafina and FictionJunction ladies. Top level singer still have both vocal teachers and vocal coaches, to keep and evolve their technique especially as they age and the voice changes. You can't keep forcing your voice to sing in your mid-30s and 40s like you rashly and emotionally sang in your teens and early 20s (and got away with it).
I would assume it's expensive to keep a coach on retainer unless you're really making good money. I always wonder how the ladies are doing financially, and so often watching their content free of charge on YouTube (especially when it's not on their official channel, which they were very slow to put up after many years of activity) feels like it impacts them in the long run.
Imagine if all their global fans were subscribed to their owned channel (for Yuki Kajiura, FJ, and previously KLF, which still has a lot of views and subscribers though delisted) and they had those hundreds of thousands or millions of views on their own channel. Another source of income for YK and the team.
@user-jo2uk3ri7q
kaji fes最高でした！
いつまでもこの一座のパレードについて行きたい！
@Satsuho199325
悩んで、決めて、そして手放して。
何を諦めてしまったのかわからなくなってしまっても、生きている今は、それまでの私が作り上げてくれたものたちだから。
人生＝PARADEなんだなと、この曲を聴いて感じました。
生命力を感じる楽曲、そしてMV、本当に素敵でした。
@user-ry3ud6gb6m
Joelleさんの声ってWakanaさんとHikaruさんを合わせたような声をしてるなって思いました
4人のハーモニーが心地いいです……
@user-te7lv3jp4g
わかる～。加えて声質が艶っ
ぽい。
@toki_3281
こんなにも素晴らしい音楽を聴いたのはいつぶりだろう
懐かしい感動
FJを待っていた
@user-lf2jv7qd5z
珠玉の一枚が完成しましたね！
やはり私の人生、梶浦さんと出会えた事が最高に良かった…たまたま深夜帯で見たアニメがきっかけだったけど、
それからCDやライヴを通して沢山の興奮、感動を頂きました、本当にありがとうございます。
これからも素敵な梶浦サウンドに巡り合える事がとっても楽しみ！！
@user-pd8tr2ks3w
joelleさんソロから始まって、4人の声が気持ちいいです！トーク＆ライブ＆サイン会も夏のツアーも楽しみです！
@harar1h1rar1
梶浦さんが作る曲は、私の気持ちにぴたりと寄り添ってくれるものがあって、この曲は配信で聞いた時は寂しくて明るい曲調に感じて、繰り返し聞いて歌詞がわかるごとに号泣しました。
CDが届いて歌詞カード見ながら聴けるのが楽しみです。
@user-qq3ll5bd3j
また1つ名曲の誕生🎉
@user-di6gp3ph3d
とてもポジティブで美しい"諦め"だと思いました。もっと"遠く"へ。
待ち望んでいたFJの始動、そして素晴らしい曲をありがとうございます。