A Field of Wild Flowers

This author has made no secret of her abiding affection for and interest in Zoids: Chaotic Century*, a mecha anime released in Japan in 1999 which made its way to the United States in the early 2000s. Nor has she shied away from paying homage to the series (see her story in Unbound III: Goodbye, Earth*, if you do not believe her). While lacking in some respects, the recent sequel series Zoids: Wild and Zoids Wild Zero, demonstrate that the franchise remains strong and well-loved even twenty years after the first show graced the small screen.

Chaotic Century’s Japanese introductory theme, “Wild Flowers,” was replaced for its U.S. run. Though the inspiring instrumentals remain part of the series’ soundtrack, the lyrics were not officially translated and the song was dropped from the show. While this author still loves the English intro, “Wild Flowers” has quickly climbed the ranks of her favorite songs.

So when she found that a youtube commenter had taken the time to translate the original Japanese lyrics, this only increased her admiration for the piece. You can read the translation below while listening to this fantastic piece of music, readers. Even if you have never heard of Zoids before, this song won an award for a reason. It’s good!

As they would say in Chaotic Century, readers: See you on the battlefield!

Wild Flowers

Lyrics

Vocals: RAMAR

Lyrics: Sakai Yusuke

Composition: Maruyama Tetsuo

Arrangement: RAMAR & Sasaji Masanori

 

Raising voices at the sky that suddenly started to cry, the romping, innocent children

Are ignoring the panicking adults and drawing a rainbow bridge with distant eyes

“It’d nice if we could cross it someday,” stuffing light-blue dreams into your pockets

You spread the map of your heart and head toward a world still unseen, you’re leaving the nest again

–

Let’s start everything from here; if it’s an umbrella full of holes, then throw it away

Accept the truths one by one

Even if you walk slower than other people, even if you are shackled

–

Overcoming the approaching end of the century, we will go

While mightily flying the flag

We made names for ourselves in the distant history, like heroes

We want to proudly tell someone about believing, while riding on this song

–

The dusk after rain, the tickling memories in the scented asphalt

As if the drooped flower petals will breathe again, innocence will return to my chest

Can you see the miserable man distorted in the puddle?

I rebuke yesterday’s me, bear my heavy luggage, and walk again today

–

What fills up the heart all the time is the blueness of the sky and the voice of the wind

Connecting thoughts together one by one

No matter how far away tomorrow is, no matter how hazy it seems

–

Overcoming the approaching end of the century, we will go

While mightily flying the flag

We made names for ourselves in the distant history, like heroes

We want to proudly tell someone about believing, while riding on this song

–

Before long, you’ll know, too, right? That life isn’t sweet like movies

Prepare yourself for the tough things and hang on tight

If there’s a friend who you can rely on, then alone in your life, you’ll be happy if the two of you can meet

Somewhere on this Earth, a person who needs you is waiting

–

Even if you get a little dirty, you don’t mind

There are no lies in your tears, right?

Let’s take along everything, even the sadness that befalls you

Look up, and definitely feel the light

–

The valued 20th century

Overcoming the approaching end of the century, overcoming the darkness, we will go

While mightily flying the flag

Now, make a name for yourself in the coming 21st century! Like a hero

I want to proudly tell someone about believing

Riding on this song

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