Analogy is the opening for Higurashi no Naku Noro ni Sotsu. It was performed by Ayane; who also performed many of the console opening songs beginning with Nageki no Mori. The song was written by Ayane and composed by the famous anime producer/lyricist and composer Chiyomaru Shikura. A titular album featuring the full version was released on 28th July, 2021.
Analogy was first featured in the promotional trailer for Higurashi no Naku Noro ni Sotsu on 20th May, 2021 and announced as the opening theme. Around 28th May, 2021—the TV size version of the song premiered on a radio broadcast for the very first time.
Later on 26th June, 2021, a teaser version of the titular album was uploaded on Ayane's official YouTube channel, containing a clearer TV size version of Analogy. On 1st July, 2021; the day of the anime's premiere—a teaser for the music video of Analogy was uploaded on MAGES' Official YouTube Channel and a TV Size Version became available for download on online digital media platforms.
Hitosuji no
Musubareta kanjou
Semegiatta mama de
Nukenu toge no gotoku
Fukaku matsuru
Tsunagareta
Kizuna wo tashikameru
Tabi ni
Hodokareru genjitsu
Mamoritai to negau
Madoromi no mori de
Umi ni kieyuku
Konton no uzu
Shinjitsu no
Sono saki e
A single strand
Of fused emotions
Continuing to clash in discord—
Like a thorn you cannot remove,
It enshrines itself ever deeper
Whenever we try to test
The bonds that have been forged—
Each time,
Reality comes apart
As we pray to protect them
Within the slumbering forest
The swirling chaos
Fades into the sea
As we head towards
That which lies beyond the truth
選んだ明日の
望む夢が
新しい幸せを
告げるなら
変わらぬ景色と
温もりと
信じてた
その意味を
確かめる
Eranda ashita no
Nozomu yume ga
Atarashii shiawase wo
Tsugeru nara
Kawaranu keshiki to
Nukumori to
Shinjiteta
Sono imi wo
Tashikameru
The coveted dreams
Of the tomorrow I chose—
If they were to teach me
Of happiness unknown...
That never changing scenery,
And that familiar warmth;
And those values
Which I had faith in—
I'll put them all to the test
むすんでひらいて
進むべき道の
涙の向こうで
ダイスを振る
I’m always on your side
向かい合わせの
寄り添った篝火
残像
重なる瞳
Musunde hiraite
Susumubeki michi no
Namida no mukou de
Daisu wo furu
I’m always on your side
Mukaiawase no
Yorisotta kagaribi
Zanzou
Kasanaru hitomi
Splicing and parting,
The roads we're meant to pursue—
Beyond the tears they bring,
We cast our dice
I’m always on your side
Among those cressets which stand
Side-by-side and face-to-face—
We are afterimages
Peering into each other's eyes
一筋の
ゆるがない情動
廻る其の憶いは
憐憫の眼差し
悟る祭礼
蘇る
絆を確かめる
度に
拡がる傷跡も
悲しみに寄り添う
光と影の音
離れていても
繋がっている
笑顔咲く
この場所で
Hitosuji no
Yuruganai joudou
Meguru sono omoi wa
Renbin no manazashi
Satoru matsuri
Yomigaeru
Kizuna wo tashikameru
Tabi ni
Hirogaru kizuato mo
Kanashimi ni yorisou
Hikari to kage no oto
Hanarete ite mo
Tsunagatte iru
Egao saku
Kono basho de
A single strand
Of unwavering affect[5]
And the memories surrounding it—
They are a ritual to discern
Your gazes of sympathy
Whenever we try to test
The reviving bonds—
Each time,
Even the scars spreading ever further
Are tunes of light and shadow
Mingling within our sorrow
We are connected
Even if we're apart
—Right here at this place
Where smiles blossom
一筋の
結ばれた感情
鬩ぎ合ったままで
抜けぬ棘の如く
深く祭る
繋がれた
絆を確かめる
度に 解かれる現実
守りたいと願う
まどろみの森で
海に消えゆく
混沌の渦
真実の
その先へ
Hitosuji no
Musubareta kanjou
Semegiatta mama de
Nukenu toge no gotoku
Fukaku matsuru
Tsunagareta
Kizuna wo tashikameru
Tabi ni
Hodokareru genjitsu
Mamoritai to negau
Madoromi no mori de
Umi ni kieyuku
Konton no uzu
Shinjitsu no
Sono saki e
A single strand
Of fused emotions
Continuing to clash in discord—
Like a thorn you cannot remove,
It enshrines itself ever deeper
Whenever we try to test
The bonds that have been forged—
Each time,
Reality comes apart
As we pray to protect them
Within the slumbering forest
The swirling chaos
Fades into the sea
As we head towards
That which lies beyond the truth
Notes[]
↑ 1.01.1Kurikaesu Mono (繰り返す者, lit. one who repeats) is an explicit reference to Loopers.
↑ 2.02.12.22.3Kotodama (言霊, lit. soul of a word) refers to the Japanese belief that mystical powers dwell in words and names. The notion is that reality is affected by the spoken word. The exact translation of the word depends on the nuances of the context it is used in.In this particular instance, it has been translated as "incantation".
↑ 3.03.1Musunde Hiraite (むすんでひらいて, lit. join and open) most likely refers to a popular Japanese nursery rhyme which was based on a piece originally composed by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The song urges the listener to clasp and unclasp their hands in multiple ways.Ayane mentions in her interviews that this line is supposed to represent anger and discord, bringing up the image of something forcefully winding and unwinding.
↑ 4.04.1Karma refers to the deeds one commits during their lives. Good deeds bring happier lives and rebirths, whereas bad deeds beget suffering and misery.The concept of Karma has been a constant theme in the Higurashi franchise. This line also references the previous season's title, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou (ひぐらしのなく頃に業,lit. When the Cicadas Cry Karma).
↑Affect here is the term used in psychology to refer to the "experience of feeling or emotion". It can refer to an outward expression of feelings such as body language or facial expressions; and can also refer to one's underlying emotional reaction. Studying one's affect towards various stimuli can help therapists to ascertain the mental state and characteristics of the individual.In this line, "unwavering affect" most likely refers to the singer's persistent emotional state.
Trivia[]
The lyrics for the song contain characters alluding to multiple Higurashi When They Cry adaptations—
Ayane mentions in her interviews that the true meaning of the lyrics will become apparent only after the final episode of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sotsu.
