Analysis of 88 by LM.C (KHR Opening 4)

88 by LM.C

You've probably forgotten by now
When sorrow fell heavily on your shoulders,
But we were holding onto the hands of the stars

With one sigh everything resets
It’s like a never-ending loop every day.
Even if it’s a detour that goes right and left, you will be fine.

Just as the wind blows, so did we fly past each other out the front door
But you can't hear me anymore

The night is drawn with a story connected by stars.
It’s an illusion my heart yearns for.
You haven’t forgotten, have you? On that detour where the flowers bloomed, all the tracks made
By your tears and your scars are beautiful, because it makes you what you are today.
 
1. A. What are some elements of a narrative used by creator (writer, speaker, artist or musician)? Consider at least one of the following:
a. Plot (exposition, rising action, climax, resolution)
b. Messages & Intentions
c. Characters & Points of View

B. Briefly explain why the creator of the work uses these elements.

First, I would like to start by analysing the title of the song. In the Japanese language, 88 (pronounces as Hachi-Hachi, lit. eight-eight) can refer to ‘a great many’ or ‘countless’. I will later explain why I think the composer decided to use such number for the title.

The composer plunges the listener straight into the chorus, bringing out a strong sense of suspension. This attracts the listener’s attention and makes us want to know more. The song also starts with the word “forgotten” which makes us wonder what did the persona forget, or why did he forget it. After the chorus it gives a sense of ‘flashback’. The song begins by describing a normal, mundane day, but even if the path “you” go on is not straight, you will be just fine, which could show that even in a normal day, if something were to happen, “you” will not be affected by much. In the song, the singer also emphasised on the phrase “you will be fine”. It could be either that the persona is trying to convince himself or “you”.

In the next verse, “we fly past each other…but you can’t hear me anymore”  shows that “you” might be thinking about something so deeply or is distracted by something to the point where even if the persona flew pass “you”, “you” did not notice him. The song also emphasised on the phrase “but you can’t hear me anymore”, which could show that the persona wants “you” to hear him, and even if “you” can’t hear him, he will keep trying. The next verse shows that the persona dreams of a perfect world. It is, however, just an “illusion (his) heart yearns for”.

The song ends with an ending that is quite like the chorus, which could possibly give the feeling of suspension, wandering what might happen next. The persona admires “your” tears and scars. It could possibly hint at the fact that he doesn’t mind if you cry, as it will make you stronger in the end and focuses on the idea to be yourself and not to be affected by other people’s opinion. There is also the reference to the “detour” they mentioned in the second stanza. It could refer to the fact that the road to recovery is long and winding, but eventually you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I believe that the message of this song is to show that you should not be affected by other people’s opinions, trust yourself and overcome any obstacles that stand in your path. It could also be a song that admires and praises someone’s remarkable ability to recover quickly and appear as if nothing traumatic happened.

The title “88” could refer to the countless stars in the sky, and hence the name.

2. Do you like the work? Why, or why not? Do you have any personal experience related to the work?

I enjoy the song as it has a unique structure. It is one of the few songs that starts and ends with the chorus. It is also one of the songs where I might initially think it means something, but when I carefully read into it, it brings out a whole new meaning. I am sure we all have to recover from a traumatic experience once in our life; we all take different amount of time to recover from such experiences.

3. What is the impact of the work on society/target audience? How well-received was the work? What did others say about the work?

88 was LM.C’s seventh single that they have released, the second opening theme they have created for the “Katekyō Hitman Reborn!” anime, the first being “Boys and Girls”. The song reached number 3 in the weekly Oricon Charts, also known as J-Pop (Japanese Pop) Charts. In July of the same year as the song was released, they also performed their first hall concert in which the tickets of the concert were sold out within two minutes of its release. The song has been performed in many of their world tours till now.