Guren no Yumiya

"Guren no Yumiya" (Japanese: 紅蓮の弓矢, lit. "Crimson Bow and Arrow") was one of two songs created by the Japanese band Linked Horizon for the A-side track of their single Jiyū e no Shingeki. The full version of the song was released by Pony Canyon on 10 July 2013, and would be most notable for its use as the first intro to the anime Attack on Titan.

"Guren no Yumiya"
Cover for single Jiyū e no Shingeki, in which the song was released under
Song by Linked Horizon
from the album Jiyū e no Shingeki
Language
Released10 July 2013
Recorded2013
Genre
Length5:17
LabelPony Canyon
Composer(s)Revo
Lyricist(s)Revo
Producer(s)Revo
Jiyū e no Shingeki track listing
Track list

A-side

  1. "Guren no Yumiya"
  2. "Jiyū no Tsubasa"

B-side

  1. "Moshi Kono Kabe no Naka ga Ikken no Ie da to Shitara"

The song was the first anime theme the band Linked Horizon would create, being composed using a blend of musical genres as well as Japanese and German language lyrics. Since first being used in the anime, the song has had multiple musical artists perform cover versions of the song, and has been played most notably at the 64th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and during major sporting events in Japan, including at the 2020 Summer Olympics. The song would reach the number one spot on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and Hot Animation charts upon its debut, and would receive four awards for its melody and animation by the end of 2013. In May 2014, "Guren no Yumiya" earned a RIAJ 2x Platinum certification for half a million sales.

Background and release

The song would first be released by the Japanese band Linked Horizon on 8 April 2013[1][2] in a shortened digital form[3] as the first opening to the Attack on Titan anime series,[1] with the full version being released later in CD form as part of the band's second single Jiyū e no Shingeki on 10 July 2013.[4][5] The songs "Guren no Yumiya" and "Jiyū no Tsubasa" would also be the first anime theme songs the band would create.[1][5]

According to band's head musician Revo, he became inspired to write the single for the anime after reading the first issue of Attack on Titan's manga.[5] Revo would meet multiple times with the original manga author Hajime Isayama[1] and director of the anime Tetsurō Araki[5] to ensure the songs used would accurately convey "the feelings of the characters through poetry and music".[1]

Contents

The song includes a blend of J-POP, pop, and symphonic rock elements in it,[6] as well as a blend of Japanese and German language lyrics.[7] In regards to the song's music elements, according to The Harvard Crimson, a "strong beat" with "swelling melodies" throughout the song is present, making it sound comparable to that of "a national anthem".[7] Abema Times commented that the beat of the song was "heavy and fast-paced," making it a "powerful" first opening theme for an anime.[8]

Live performances and other usage
Japanese singer May J. dressed in white on stage performing
Japanese pop singer May J., who would perform a cover version of the song in 2020.

Since the song's first use in the anime Attack on Titan, Linked Horizon has performed the song live multiple times on TV[9] and in-person during tours across Japan. On their first tour beginning in July 2013, Linked Horizon performed the song in the cities of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.[2][5] They would perform the song again on a larger tour from July to November 2017 in thirty other locations.[10] Most notably, the band performed the song live during the 64th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen on 31 December 2013.[11] A tweet related to Linked Horizon's performance at the event also became the number one tweet on New Year's Eve of 2013.[12]

Other artists have also performed covers of the song, including the Japan Theater Symphony Orchestra at the anime music festival "Anime Symphonia" on 20 July 2015,[13] the Japanese pop group The Hoopers and songwriter Kobasolo in a collaborative cover of the song on 3 April 2018,[14] the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica in their second EP Epica vs Attack on Titan Songs on 20 July 2018,[15] and the Japanese pop singer May J. at a Halloween concert at the Tokyo Garden Theater on 31 October 2020.[16]

Outside of artist covers, a spin-off version of the song by Linked Horizon would be released on 5 October 2015 titled "Seishun wa Hanabi no You Ni" (青春は花火のように, lit. "Youth is like fireworks") as the first opening for the likewise spin-off anime Attack on Titan: Junior High.[17][18] A parodied version of the song's opening animation would also be created by Arizona congressman Paul Gosar[19] in which New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and US President Joe Biden were depicted as Titans from the anime.[20] Resulting backlash from the Democratic Party would see the US House in a 223-to-207 vote deem the video to be a threat, and censored Gosar.[20] The song has also been played on a seasonal Universal Studios Japan Attack on Titan-themed ride,[21] during baseball games,[22] and during archery at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[23]

Chart performance

"Guren no Yumiya" would reach the top position on multiple song ranking sites; including on the Amazon MP3, iTunes Store, Mora, music.jp, and Recochoku's daily anime ranking charts,[5] second on Dwango's daily anime ranking chart,[1][2] fifth on Recochoku's overall ranking,[12] and seventh on the iTunes Store's overall rankings.[1] The song would also take the top position on Karaoke Joysound's Monthly Chart upon the release of the full version of the song in June, taking the spot from the Golden Bomber song "Memeshikute", which had held it for the past nine months.[4] Other chart performances are displayed below.

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Japan Hot 100 (Billboard)[35] 75
Japan Hot Animation (Billboard)[36] 12

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[37] 2× Platinum 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Awards
Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2013 Newtype Anime Awards Best Theme Song "Guren no Yumiya"
by Linked Horizon (Attack on Titan)		 Won [38]
Animation Kobe Awards Theme Song Award "Guren no Yumiya"
by Linked Horizon		 Won [39]
Billboard Japan Music Awards Hot Animation of the Year "Guren no Yumiya"
Linked Horizon		 Won [3]
Anime Grand Prix Best Anime Song "Guren no Yumiya"
(Attack on Titan)		 Won [40]

References
  1. "配信チャート席捲 アニメ『進撃の巨人』OPテーマCD化決定" [Digital chart sweeping animation "Attack on Titan" OP theme CD decided] (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  2. "「進撃の巨人」OP主題歌「紅蓮の弓矢」 先行配信　デイリー１位の好スタート" ["Attack on Titan" OP theme song "Guren no Yumiya" Pre-delivery good start with daily 1st place]. animeanime.jp (in Japanese). 11 April 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  3. "ビルボードジャパン2013年間チャート" [Billboard Japan 2013 Annual Chart] (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. 14 December 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  4. "「進撃の巨人」が金爆食い！カラオケランキング初登場奪首" ["Attack on Titan" gets gold! Karaoke ranking first appearance decapitation] (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  5. "Linked Horizon、「自由への進撃」が音楽チャート首位を席巻" [Linked Horizon's 'Jiyū e no Shingeki' tops music charts] (in Japanese). BARKS. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  6. "紅蓮の弓矢" [Guren no Yumiya]. MusicBrainz. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  7. Lee, Ashley Y. (4 March 2022). "Anime Music Think Piece: How Anime Music Marks Emotional Journeys". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  8. "アニメ「進撃の巨人」OP・ED主題歌一覧！人気曲から最新曲まで紹介" [Anime "Attack on Titan" OP / ED theme song list! Introduction from popular songs to the latest songs]. Abema Times (in Japanese). Abema. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023. [this heavy and fast-paced song was […] a powerful song that's perfect for the first installment of the "Attack on Titan" anime series.]
  9. "「紅蓮の弓矢 [紅白スペシャルVer.]」2014年1月1日0時から配信開始" ["Guren no Yumiya [Red and White Special Ver.]" Distribution started from 00:00 on 1 January 2014]. animeanime.jp (in Japanese). 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2023. [Linked Horizon, who had never appeared on TV before, will be appearing on TV for the first time here. […] The song to be sung is "Guren no Yumiya [Kohaku Special Ver.]".]
  10. "Revoが「紅蓮の弓矢」「心臓を捧げよ」熱唱、ツアー初日のライブ映像公開" [Revo sings "Guren no Yumiya" and "Kokoro wo Sakeyo" passionately, release live video on the first day of the tour] (in Japanese). Natalie. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  11. Komatsu, Mikikazu (11 December 2015). "NHK's BS Premium to Air "Attack on Titan" TV Anime from January 2016". Crunchyroll LLC. Retrieved 28 July 2023. Linked Horizon performed the first OP song "Guren no Yumiya" in the 64th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen on December 31, 2013.
  12. "Linked Horizon、「紅蓮の弓矢[紅白スペシャルVer.]」1位獲得、イェーガー！" [Linked Horizon, "Guren no Yumiya [Kohaku Special Ver.]" won 1st place, Jaeger!] (in Japanese). BARKS. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  13. "シークレット曲解禁！アニメ音楽の祭典「Anime Symphonia」完全情報公開　 完売間近！進撃の巨人「紅蓮の弓矢」などをフルオーケストラで演奏" [Secret song lifted! Anime Music Festival "Anime Symphonia" Full Information Release Almost Sold Out! A full orchestra performance of Attack on Titan's "Guren no Yumiya"]. atpress.ne.jp (in Japanese). 3 July 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  14. "ザ・フーパーズ 未来×YouTuber コバソロ、カバー動画第4弾で『進撃の巨人』OP「紅蓮の弓矢」歌唱" [The Hoopers Mirai x YouTuber Kobasolo sings "Attack on Titan" OP "Guren no Yumiya" in the 4th cover video]. realsound.jp (in Japanese). 3 April 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  15. "EPICA's Simone Simons Says 'Attack On Titan' EP Was 'A Little Out Of Our Comfort Zone'". Blabbermouth.net. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  16. "May J.、国民的アニソン「紅蓮の弓矢」をカバー" [May J. covers national anisong "Guren no Yumiya"] (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  17. "Linked Horizon「巨人中学校」OPに「紅蓮の弓矢」スピンオフ的楽曲" [Linked Horizon "Titan Junior High School" Opening theme "Guren no Yumiya" spin-off song] (in Japanese). Natalie. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  18. "アニメ『進撃!巨人中学校』OPはリンホラ 「紅蓮の弓矢」スピンオフ要素" [Anime "Attack! Giant Junior High School" OP is Rinhora "Guren no Yumiya" spin-off element] (in Japanese). Oricon charts. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  19. Paul Gosar [@RepGosar] (7 November 2021). "Any anime fans out there?" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2023 – via Twitter.
  20. Sonmez, Felicia; Wang, Amy B.; Sotomayor, Marianna (17 November 2021). "House censures Rep. Gosar, ejects him from committees over video depicting slaying of Rep. Ocasio-Cortez". The Washington Post. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  21. "【USJ】石川由依＆井上麻里奈が大絶叫！「紅蓮の弓矢」搭載の「ハリウッド・ドリーム・ザ・ライド」" [[USJ] Yui Ishikawa & Marina Inoue are screaming! "Hollywood Dream The Ride" equipped with "Guren no Yumiya"]. cinemacafe.net (in Japanese). 6 March 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  22. "【巨人】ドラ５・秋広優人が本拠地デビュー　東京Ｄ初打席の登場曲はテレビアニメ『進撃の巨人』のオープニング主題歌『紅蓮の弓矢』" [[Giants] Dora 5, Yuto Akihiro makes his home base debut.] (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2023. [Akihiro […] used Linked Horizon's "Guren no Yumiya", the opening theme song of the TV anime "Attack on Titan", as his debut song.]
  23. Peters, Megan (26 July 2021). "Tokyo Olympics Hype Archery Round with Attack on Titan Music". comicbook.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  24. "Adult Contemporary Airplay". Billboard Japan. Hankyu Hanshin Holdings. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  25. "Hot 100". Billboard Japan. Hankyu Hanshin Holdings. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  26. "Billboard Japan Hot 100". Billboard charts. 27 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  27. "Hot Animation". Billboard Japan. Hankyu Hanshin Holdings. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  28. "Digital Chart | 2013 Weeks 30". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). 27 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  29. "Hot 100". Billboard Japan. Hankyu Hanshin Holdings. 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  30. "Hot Animation". Billboard Japan. Hankyu Hanshin Holdings. 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  31. "2013 Joysound Annual Ranking". Karaoke Joysound. 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  32. "World Digital Song Sales". Billboard charts. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  33. "World Digital Song Sales | Guren no Yumiya". Billboard charts. 7 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  34. "2014 Joysound Annual Ranking". Karaoke Joysound. 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  35. "Hot 100". Billboard Japan. Hankyu Hanshin Holdings. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  36. "Hot Animation". Billboard Japan. Hankyu Hanshin Holdings. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  37. "Japanese digital single certifications – Linked Horizon – 紅蓮の弓矢" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 13 August 2023. Select 2014年5月 on the drop-down menu
  38. Loo, Egan (13 October 2013). "Attack on Titan Wins Top Prizes in Newtype Anime Awards". Anime News Network. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  39. Loo, Egan (25 October 2013). "Hayao Miyazaki, Attack on Titan, Garden of Words Win Anime Kobe Awards". Anime News Network. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  40. "[untitled]" (in Japanese). Anime Grand Prix. 21 June 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
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