Rock on! Two user requests today, both rock songs, both console-exclusive, and both Namco Originals.
Unagi no Tamashii Rock (うなぎのたましいロック)| Version |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All console | x3 (180) | x4 (260) | x4 (467) | x6 (582) |
| Taiko 0 Mu | x4 (180) | x5 (260) | x4 (467) | x5 (582) |
Taiko PS2 4, Taiko PSP 2, Taiko 0 Mu-R-Y (promo only), CD 2008
195
none
bko3Today's first pick is centered around the Lantern Eel, one of Taiko's mainstay side characters who has been with Don-chan since the very first arcade. I won't delve into his character profile in detail here, but the Lantern Eel is the ringmaster of a traveling festival, going all over Japan to spread cheer together with his other members. He is about as passionate about Taiko as the Wada family, and can often be spotted handing out tough challenges to Don-chan in console games, usually on the Oni difficulty.
The lyrics of Unagi no Tamashii Rock (literally, 'The Eel's Soul Rock') is centered around the characteristics of the Lantern Eel himself, talking about a matsuri that is about to start and the Lantern Eel feeling excited for all the events and games that will be going on and all the people he can talk to. In other words, this is his theme song. Character-specific theme songs were pretty hot back in the day, however it's unfortunate that this one doesn't receive as much attention. The lyrics are written by Yasugawa Shougo (ヤスカワショウゴ), who also wrote for Kare Kano Kanon and DON'T CUT. Its composer and singer is Keiichi Okabe (岡部啓一), responsible for the Angel Dream songs.
This little-known quick song has a few records under its belt. It's the Oni 6* with the highest basic BPM and one of the highest number of notes as well. The lack of note clusters, however, makes Unagi no Tamashii Rock easy to master (a typical occurrence with low star songs that have high BPM). The original on Yondaime has different notecharts for 2P play but unfortunately no further information can be found on this. Do share if you can, please!
A long-time console exclusive, Unagi no Tamashii Rock was for a limited time added to the Murasaki ver. cabinet with new sets of ratings for the Doyo no Ushi no Hi occasion, which eating eels is a tradition on the day. It was for its inclusion period one of the lowest-rated Namco Original song at 5* with Kimi no Akari and Taiko Love!, and one of the very rare Oni notecharts without any 16th separations other than Mori no Kuma-san.
Inu Hoeru (犬吠える)| Version | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taiko PSP DX | x4 (176) | x5 (234) | x6 (374) | x7 (580) |
| Taiko 0, Taiko Wii U 3 | x4 (176) | x5 (234) | x5 (374) | x6 (580) |
Taiko 0, Taiko PSP DX, Taiko Wii U 3, CD Donderful 176~184 none inuhoeBack to the present, this very new Namco Original introduced for PSP DX is an old-fashioned rock song which wouldn't sound out of place in a 60s music album. Inu Hoeru (lit. Dog's Howl) has lyrics written like an autobiography of a dog's life, who talks about his master and how he lovingly takes care of it.
And an unexpected guest star is performing the song! Inu Hoeru is made by Makita Gakkyu (マキタ学級), a rock singer/songwriter who currently works in the actor/talent training company Office Kintano (オフィス北野) with the popular Japanese comedian Makita Sports (マキタスポーツ). Makita Gakkyu is often featured in several Comedy Singer Impersonator contests. This is not Makita's first experience writing songs for a rhythm game, he's made one song for Konami's equally popular game series, Pop'n Music. The song 'Guitar Kendo' was included in the songlist of Pop'n Music 15 ADVENTURE. Makita Gakkyu has a blog if you want to know more about him.
Like Unagi no Tamashii Rock, Inu Hoeru is also characterized by high speed, but also has more aggressive note patterns and clusters compared to the earlier song. After the first few stanzas Inu Hoeru goes at a constant BPM (180) and among other Namco Originals, has a pretty unremarkable notechart otherwise.
