"Torch of Liberty" is a song by Japanese rock band Kana-Boon. It was released as the band's sixteenth major-label single, released on November 25, 2020, through Ki/oon Music. "Torch of Liberty" was used as the second opening theme song for the second season of the anime series Fire Force.[1]
| "Torch of Liberty" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Kana-Boon | ||||
| Language | Japanese | |||
| A-side | "Torch of Liberty" | |||
| B-side | "Sentinel" "Magic Hour" | |||
| Released | November 25, 2020 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 11:09 | |||
| Label | Ki/oon Music | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Maguro Taniguchi | |||
| Kana-Boon singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Torch of Liberty" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editOn September 26, 2020, the official website for the Fire Force anime announced the opening and ending themes for the second cour of the second season of the anime, with Kana-Boon performing the opening theme.[1][2] Kana-Boon's singer and guitarist Maguro Taniguchi also produced the ending theme "Desire" by Pelican Fanclub.[2][3]
On writing the song, Taniguchi commented that "liberation" was the main theme of the song, due to "liberation" and flames being a major theme within the series, and signifying lost freedoms and everyday life.[2][4][5]
Release and reception
editThe single was released on November 25, 2020, in three releases, a standard edition, a first pressing limited edition, and an anime limited edition release. The first pressing limited edition contains a bonus DVD with footage of the band performing live at the "Kana-Boon's "Pre" Best Live" event on July 26, 2020.[6] The anime limited edition contains artwork from the anime, the anime size bonus tracks, as well as a bonus DVD containing the creditless version of the respective opening theme of "Fire Force", as well as the music video for "Torch of Liberty".[6] The single was made available to stream on October 17, 2020.[5]
The single reached number 38 on the Oricon charts,[7] and reached 38 on the Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales.[8]
Music video
editThe music video for "Torch of Liberty" was released on November 13, 2020, and directed by Hiroki Nakamura.[9] The video is shot in the 4:3 aspect ratio, with retro-style titles and filters used throughout the video, and heavily utilises overhead and birds-eye view shots. The video starts with Maguro Taniguchi playing the guitar on grass, and then the band playing their instruments in various locations, and in front of mirrors. Sweeping pans of various people are shown alongside various items, such as a red car, inflatable pool, and a drone. Various sources of light, such as a flare, car headlights, an open fire, and a torch, are shown interspersed in the video.
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Maguro Taniguchi
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Torch of Liberty" | 3:06 |
| 2. | "Sentinel" (センチネル) | 3:58 |
| 3. | "Magic Hour" (マジックアワー) | 4:05 |
| Total length: | 11:09 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 4. | "Torch of Liberty (Anime Size)" | 1:32 |
| 5. | "Torch of Liberty (Anime Size Instrumental)" | 1:30 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ""Fire Force Second Season" Second Cour Non-credit Opening Movie" (「炎炎ノ消防隊 弐ノ章」第2クール ノンクレジットオープニングムービー) | |
| 2. | ""Torch of Liberty" Music Video" (「Torch of Liberty」Music Video) |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "- Introduction -" | |
| 2. | "Naimononedari" (ないものねだり) | |
| 3. | "Sakura no Uta" (さくらのうた) | |
| 4. | "Wally Hero" (ウォーリーヒーロー) | |
| 5. | "Full Drive" (フルドライブ) | |
| 6. | "Destruction Beat Music" (ディストラクションビートミュージック) | |
| 7. | "Slihouette" (シルエット) | |
| 8. | "Baton Road" (バトンロード) | |
| 9. | "Massara" (まっさら) | |
| 10. | "Starmarker" (スターマーカー) | |
| 11. | "Haru o Matte" (春を待って) | |
| 12. | "- Conclusion -" |
Charts
edit| Chart (2020) | Peak positions |
|---|---|
| Japan Weekly Singles (Oricon)[7] | 38 |
| Japan Top Singles Sales (Billboard)[8] | 38 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | November 25, 2020 | Ki/oon Music | CD | KSCL-3267 |
| CD+DVD | KSCL-3265/5 | |||
| KSCL-3268/9 |
References
edit- ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 26, 2020). "Fire Force Anime Season 2 Previews Haijima Arc, Kana-Boon Song in Video". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c アニメ「炎炎ノ消防隊 弐ノ章」物語は“灰島の死神篇”へ、第2クールPV公開 (in Japanese). Natalie. September 26, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ 「炎炎ノ消防隊」OPにKANA-BOON新曲、PELICAN FANCLUB担当のED曲は谷口鮪プロデュース (in Japanese). Natalie. September 26, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ 弐ノ章 第２クール目OP主題歌、ED主題歌を担当するアーティストが決定！. Fire Force Official anime website (in Japanese). September 26, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ a b KANA-BOON「炎炎ノ消防隊」OP主題歌を先行配信、描き下ろしイラストジャケット公開 (in Japanese). Natalie. October 17, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ a b KANA-BOONニューシングル詳細発表「新たな希望を掴むまで、火を灯し続けます」 (in Japanese). Natalie. October 3, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Torch of Liberty(初回生産限定盤). Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ a b "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales | Charts" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. December 2, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ "SPACE SHOWER Music Video Search" (in Japanese). SPACE SHOWER Networks Inc. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
External links
edit- "Torch of Liberty" at MusicBrainz (list of releases)