KOTOKO (real name 堀川ことこ—Horikawa Kotoko), born on January 19, 1980 in Sappo… Read Full Bio ↴KOTOKO (real name 堀川ことこ—Horikawa Kotoko), born on January 19, 1980 in Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, is a female j-pop electronic/dance vocalist whose songs draws on electro rock, techno and trance. She has released five albums (three associated with Geneon and two associated with I've Sound), twelve maxi singles (seventeen overall) and two DVDs that were released in the US.

She also composes and writes lyrics (for herself as well as other singers in I've Sound) for numerous other song collections. She frequently works with the producers I've Sound, and has contributed songs to numerous anime and video games including Onegai Teacher, Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu, Onegai Twins, Ren'ai CHU!, Maria-sama ga Miteru, Hayate the Combat Butler, Colorful Kiss, Kannazuki no Miko, Starship Operators, Shakugan no Shana, and BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger.

In 1999, she became a professional singer. Her first successful audition was with I've Sound, a team of producers using the talents of various female vocalists for their productions—best recognized for their many dating sim and eroge game soundtracks. Since then, she has performed opening and ending themes for a few anime and has gained significant recognition from her two I've Sound-related album releases. Her second album, Garasu no Kaze, released in June 2005 has been praised within multiple online communities. On October 13, 2005, she released her fourth maxi single, which featured a song from her Garasu no Kaze album, "421: A Will" and its B-side song called "Shuusou" (秋爽, The Refreshing Autumn Breeze), which is featured in her third album, Uzu-Maki.

Although not listed on her official Geneon website, KOTOKO has actually released four albums. Her very first album was called, Sora o Tobetara, which was released in 2000. Many of the tracks on this album were later re-recorded for her first I've Sound album, Hane (羽 -hane-, Feather), and was attributed as her first album. Her first I've Sound CD appearance was on the CD "Dear Feeling" (only released at "Comic Market 59".) with previous singer Aki. She then appeared on I've Girls Compilation Album Vol.3 "Disintegration", a series of albums with various songs from the I've Sound singers.

KOTOKO's first official performance in North America was her highly successful American concert debut at Anime Expo 2005, followed soon after by the KOTOKO Lax Tour. Now that her self-composed hybrid of pop and techno beats—sometimes pop—have crossed the Pacific, KOTOKO's lyrics have elevated her presence among thousands of North American J-pop/anime fans.

In 2009 she did the theme song for the Mamoru Oshii live-action movie Assault Girls. The song 蒼-iconoclast has also been featured as the opening theme song to the console version of the widely popular game Blazblue:Calamity Trigger.
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Personality: Quiet, likes making new friends, optimist, caring, emotional, perfectionist, romantic.

Interests: Movies, shopping (online), photography, flowers, darts, softball, dancing, collecting cute things.

I want to go to: Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Morocco, Greece, Egypt, Tuvalu, Bolivia, Nepal, New Zealand, India, Thailand, Australia.

Favorite food: Cherries, and particularly fond of strawberries, actually likes all fruit except melon, noodles, curry soup, avocado, cheese, milk, pudding, mint, cooked rice, chocolate, cookies, coffee.

Favorite things: Music, poetry, movies, the sky, the sea.

Favorite animals: Rabbits, turtles, sheeps, insects.

Dislikes: The dark, narrow spaces, a bad liar, rain, people without dreams.

Dreams: Go to Los Angeles, plant a lemon tree and build a house in the hills with a view on the sea.

Light My Fire
KOTOKO Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

今解き放て
秘めた想いを
無に帰る現実
断ち切るために
運命が必然だとしたって
Nobody can predict
what will happen
必死に抗ってくんだ

その瞳に映した
未来をこの手に
Shout out
己の存在
叫べ
君に聞こえるまで
そこからは
何が見える?
Light my fire
言葉にできない
無力で小さな
この感情を
僕らは知ってる
正解がどこにもなくたって
Nobody knows that only I know
この胸のうちで燃える
炎は決して消えはしない
そうだろう?
Shout out
守るべきもの
叫べ
終焉までの Time limit
乗り越えて
限界まで
Light my fire

Yahweh, who shall
dwell in your sanctuary?
Who shall live on your
holy hill?
Yahweh, who shall
dwell in your sanctuary?
Who shall live on your
holy hill?
Yahweh, who shall
dwell in your sanctuary?
Who shall live on your
holy hill?
Yahweh, who shall
dwell in your sanctuary?
Who shall live on your
holy hill?
Finally found
帰るべき場所
ここよ叫んで
二度と離しはしない
Shout out
声を上げろ
叫べ

たとえどんな困難が
この先に待ってようとも ...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kotoko's song Light My Fire are a reflection of one's innermost feelings and desires. The song speaks of releasing pent up emotions in order to overcome the reality of nothingness. The singer urges the listener to fight for what they believe in, to hold on to their beliefs regardless of how the future might unfold. Through the use of metaphors such as fire, the song symbolizes the passion and energy that is needed to overcome life's obstacles.

The main message of the song is to stand up for oneself and to actively pursue one's dreams. The lyrics encourage the audience to voice their opinions, to be heard, and to never give up in the face of adversity. It is a song that motivates one to explore what lies ahead, to embrace the unknown, and to strive for excellence.

Overall, Light My Fire is an empowering song that inspires listeners to be true to themselves, to embrace their inner strength, and to never give up on their dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

今解き放て
Free the hidden feelings

秘めた想いを
That you've kept inside

無に帰る現実
The reality that goes to nothing

断ち切るために
To cut off

運命が必然だとしたって
Even if destiny is predetermined

Nobody can predict
Nobody can predict

what will happen
What will happen

必死に抗ってくんだ
Fight desperately against it

その瞳に映した
Reflected in those eyes

未来をこの手に
The future in your hands

Shout out
Shout out