Their debut single Blurry Eyes released in 1994 was used as the opening theme for the animated TV show DNA². In late 1996, L'Arc~en~Ciel gained worldwide attention for the first time after the release of their fourth album, True. This album includes the single the Fourth Avenue Cafe, which was used as an ending theme for the popular animated TV show Rurouni Kenshin. However, drummer sakura was arrested for drug possession and consequently all L'Arc~en~Ciel merchandise was removed from store shelves. The release of their single the Fourth Avenue Cafe was canceled and the song was immediately removed from the TV series.
sakura left the band in 1997, and former DIE IN CRIES drummer yukihiro replaced him for the REINCARNATION tour that year, subsequently serving as a support member for their first single after the incident, 虹 (Niji). Eventually, yukihiro officially joined the band and released the album HEART in 1998.
After the release of their eighth album REAL in 2000, L'Arc~en~Ciel went on a hiatus, releasing only compilation albums aside from their 2001 single, Spirit dreams inside -another dream-, the theme for the CG-animated Final Fantasy movie. During this time, each member engaged in solo projects: yukihiro with the band acid android, ken and former L'Arc~en~Ciel drummer sakura with SONS OF ALL PUSSYS, HYDE as a solo artist, and tetsu as TETSU69. On March 31st, 2004, L'Arc~en~Ciel released SMILE, their first album in four years.
On July 31st, 2004, L'Arc~en~Ciel performed their first concert in the United States at Otakon, a Japanese animation convention. They performed for an audience of more than 12,000 in Baltimore, Maryland.
They are best known outside of Japan for the song READY STEADY GO, which served as the second opening theme for the animated series Fullmetal Alchemist, and Link for the show's respective theatrical film. These songs earned them substantial Western popularity and attention to their album, SMILE, which was released in the United States by American label Tofu Records.
After more than a year since SMILE, the band released AWAKE on June 22nd, 2005, which was accompanied by ASIALIVE, L'Arc~en~Ciel's first tour to take them to South Korea and China, as well as the Japanese AWAKE tour.
The year 2006 marked the band's 15th anniversary since their debut. It was celebrated with the release of a box set of books titled L'Arc~en~Ciel BOX, re-releases of their first 15 singles along with the albums ark and ray, and the L'Anniversary live concerts held on November 25th and 26th. They also finally released the Fourth Avenue Cafe, the single canceled nearly 10 years prior, as part of their 15th anniversary celebrations.
The year 2007 saw increased activity for the band, with the release of four new singles, four DVD releases, the new album KISS, and the beginning of two back-to-back tours. The first was TOUR 2007-2008 THEATER OF KISS in Japan, followed by L'7 ～trans ASIA via PARIS～. The latter tour took them through Shanghai, Taiwan, Paris, Seoul, Hong Kong, and a return to Japan for shows in Tokyo and Osaka. At the end of this tour it was announced that the band would not tour again until their 20th anniversary in 2011. The band, however, says they're not on hiatus.
2008 saw the release of two new single from the band, DRINK IT DOWN released in April, and the double A-side NEXUS 4 / SHINE in August. Since then, HYDE has begun a new solo project with former OBLIVION DUST guitarist K.A.Z as VAMPS, with the release of a self-titled album and successful tours in Japan and the United States. With the legacy of 11 albums and 35 singles, L'Arc~en~Ciel continue to gather more and more fans throughout the world who eagerly await their return to renewed band activities.
Yuki no Ashiato
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunda kuuki ni kokoro ha arawarete sakanoboru
Tachidomattari mawari michi mo shita kedo
Hitotsu hitotsu ga taisetsu na kioku
Kyou no you ni itsu no hi mo kimi to tomo ni...
Furidashita yuki ga atari wo somete
Kimi ga ita kara ima demo mae wo muite susumerunda
Irodoru fuyu wo aruite kokoro kara sou omou
Hodoo zoi ni ha kozue ni saku yuki no hana
Shiroi KYANBASU rakugaki no romen
Tsumetai te kasaneai atatameau
Furikaeri mireba narabu ashiato
Koronda nochi wo nagame bishoumiau fuyu no hi
Itsumo te ni te wo toru you ni
Koushite shikkari fumishime yukou
Furitsumoru yuki to shiroi ashiato
Futari de egaku you ni aruiteku itsumademo
Sotto yorisou mitai ni
Mousukoshi yukkuri issho ni kaerou
The lyrics of Yuki no Ashiato describe the beauty of walking in the snow with a loved one. The first stanza sets the scene of a winter day as the singer describes how the breath rises in the air and one’s heart is lifted. They then speak of memories that are precious and treasured, to "always be together like today".
The second stanza expands upon the beauty of the snow, describing the frozen branches and the snowflakes that fall on each of them. They speak of how each step leaves a trail, and how they will walk slowly and steadily, side by side, so they can leave their footprints together. The final line speaks of a desire to stay close, to make every step count, and to take their time on the journey home.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and romance through the imagery of a snowy winter day. The memories of past and present are intertwined in this moment of intimacy. It speaks of treasuring these moments, creating memories and cherishing them forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Toiki ga sutto nobotte fuyumeku sora tokedashita
As I let out a sigh, a winter sky filled with snowflakes melts away
Sunda kuuki ni kokoro ha arawarete sakanoboru
My heart is revealed and blooms in the clear air
Tachidomattari mawari michi mo shita kedo
Even if I stopped or walked around, every moment is a precious memory
Hitotsu hitotsu ga taisetsu na kioku
Each and every one is an important memory
Kyou no you ni itsu no hi mo kimi to tomo ni...
Together with you, just like today, every day is cherished
Furidashita yuki ga atari wo somete
The falling snow covers everything it touches
Bokura wo sotto tsutsumikonde yuku yo yasashiku
Gently wrapping us up in a soft blanket
Kimi ga ita kara ima demo mae wo muite susumerunda
Since you were here, I can still move forward and face the future
Irodoru fuyu wo aruite kokoro kara sou omou
Walking through the colorful winter, I feel it in my heart
Hodoo zoi ni ha kozue ni saku yuki no hana
Snowy flowers blooming on branches on the roadside
Shiroi KYANBASU rakugaki no romen
White canvas covered in scribbles
Tsumetai te kasaneai atatameau
Our cold hands come together and warm up
Furikaeri mireba narabu ashiato
Looking back, there are footprints in a row
Koronda nochi wo nagame bishoumiau fuyu no hi
After falling down, the winter day sparkles beautifully
Itsumo te ni te wo toru you ni
Just like always, take my hand
Koushite shikkari fumishime yukou
Let's step firmly like this
Furitsumoru yuki to shiroi ashiato
The piling snow and our white footprints
Futari de egaku you ni aruiteku itsumademo
Walking together, as if we're drawing, forever
Sotto yorisou mitai ni
As if snuggling up gently
Mousukoshi yukkuri issho ni kaerou
Let's go back together, just a little bit slower
Contributed by Cooper W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.