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.
get out from the shell -asian version-
L'Arc~en~Ciel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling so cold and tight inside of the skull
Nerve function has been out of order
Kissing to the sleeping beauty in the forest
Dream is still a dream that never changes
Dream is still a dream that never changes
Falling to the deepness of the inner spiral
Dream is still a dream that never changes
Dream is still a dream that never changes
Get rid of your notions
Haven't you realized yet? (do it)
Get feel of your passion
Haven't you realized yet? (go for it)
Perceive through the soul
Dream is still a dream that never changes
Dream is still a dream that never changes
Destroying the illusion with your hands
Destroying the illusion with your hands
Get rid of your notions
Haven't you realized yet? (do it)
Get feel of your passion
Haven't you realized yet? (go for it)
You get out from the shell
Get rid of your notions
Haven't you realized yet? (do it)
Get feel of your passion
Haven't you realized yet? (go for it)
Perceive through the soul
Get rid of your notions
Get rid of your border
Get rid of your notions
Get rid of your border
The lyrics of "Get Out from the Shell" by L'Arc~en~Ciel speak to the struggle of breaking out of one's comfort zone and confronting one's fears. The opening lines describe the physical and emotional manifestations of anxiety, with a "worried heart" and "feeling so cold and tight inside of the skull." The singer is unable to control their nerves and is "falling to the deepness of the inner spiral." They feel trapped, like a "sleeping beauty in the forest," and are desperate to break free from their fears and limitations.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of self-realization and breaking free from one's illusions. The singer urges the listener to "get rid of your notions" and "perceive through the soul," recognizing that the key to overcoming fear lies within oneself. The repeated phrase "dream is still a dream that never changes" highlights the idea that change and progress are only possible if one takes action and confronts their fears.
The second half of the song continues to encourage the listener to break free from their limitations and "get out from the shell." They must "destroy the illusion with [their] hands" and "get rid of [their] border" in order to truly grow and develop.
Overall, "Get Out from the Shell" is a powerful anthem about personal growth and the struggle to overcome limitations in order to achieve one's dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Worried heart is beating with darkness
My troubled heart is consumed by darkness and anxiety
Feeling so cold and tight inside of the skull
My mind is frozen and constricted by fear and doubt
Nerve function has been out of order
My nerves are frayed and unable to function properly
Kissing to the sleeping beauty in the forest
I am yearning for something unattainable, like a fairy tale romance
Dream is still a dream that never changes
Despite my desires and efforts, my dreams remain unfulfilled and stagnant
Blind fear is lingering around
My fear is preventing me from seeing the truth and moving forward
Falling to the deepness of the inner spiral
I am trapped in a spiral of negative thoughts and emotions
Get rid of your notions, Haven't you realized yet? (do it)
Abandon your preconceived notions and take action to achieve your goals
Get feel of your passion, Haven't you realized yet? (go for it)
Find and embrace your passion, and pursue it with conviction and determination
Perceive through the soul
Look beyond surface-level appearances and listen to your innermost self for guidance
Destroying the illusion with your hands
Break free from false beliefs and perceptions with your own strength and willpower
You get out from the shell
Finally break away from your self-imposed limitations and become your true self
Get rid of your border
Eliminate any mental or emotional barriers that stand in the way of your growth and progress
Contributed by Anthony L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.