Introduction

Artist： YOASOBI
Songname: Monotone(モノトーン )

YOASOBI is set to perform the theme song “Monotone” for the animated film “Fureru.,” which will be released on October 4th. This marks their first foray into creating a theme song for an animated film, with the song inspired by a novel written by the film’s scriptwriter, Okada Mari. The film is directed by Nagai Ryusei and features character design by Tanaka Masakatsu. It tells the story of three childhood friends and a mysterious creature, exploring the true connections between people in a complex modern world.

The main characters are voiced by talented actors Ryo Nishikido, Ryuta Sato, and Kentaro Nakamoto. A trailer and key visual have been released in anticipation of the film’s premiere, and YOASOBI is excited for the audience’s anticipation and enjoyment of both the movie and their song.

Translation

Original Translation
1 僕は 1 I
2 僕らは 2 We
3 ひとりきりの世界を生きている 3 Living alone in the world
4 隣り合う世界にそっと触れる度 4 The degree to which one touches the next world
5 思い知るんだ 5 I know
6 思い出すんだ 6 I remember
7 ああ 7 Ah
8 8
9 幼い頃の僕らは 9 When we were young
10 模写義者に守れたまま 10 To be protected by the copyrighter
11 呼び合う名前と明日の約束 11 Calling names and tomorrow’s promise
12 それだけで世界は一つだと思ってた 12 I thought that the world was only one
13 分かり合えないことが 13 Impossible to understand
14 許し合えないことが 14 Not permitted
15 一つ二つ増えてく 15 To increase one or two
16 その度に僕は 16 At that time I
17 信じ合えると期待することさえも 17 Even to expect to believe
18 やめてしまった 18 I have quit
19 19
20 ずっと 20 All along
21 僕が 21 I
22 僕らが 22 We
23 それぞれ別の世界を生きてる 23 Living in another world
24 近づいたと思えば 24 If you think
25 離れ離れに 25 Apart from
26 そう繰り返す度 26 Degrees repeat
27 「あ、ひとりきり」を思い知るんだ 27 “I know one,”
28 僕は 28 I
29 僕らは 29 We
30 それでも誰かを求めるのは 30 Still asking someone
31 孤独をただ素直に受け入れたまま 31 Just accept solitude
32 生きていけるほど大人じゃないから 32 Because it is not an adult
33 ああ 33 Ah
34 34
35 教室の後ろに貼られた 35 Stuck behind the classroom
36 近色で絵描かれた 36 I was painted in the near color
37 同じ景色たち 37 The same scenery
38 僕らは誰もが 38 All we have
39 それぞれで違う 39 Different
40 少しのズレもなく 40 Without a trace
41 重なり言葉のあまり 41 Too much words
42 描いていた理想からどれだけ 42 From the ideal of drawing
43 離れているかね測るような 43 Measuring a distance
44 あいに見せた独りよがりは 44 He is a good fellow
45 行き過ぎてない物ねだり 45 Something that is not too far
46 確かめる度嫌になって 46 Sure to become unpleasant
47 求める度に勝手になって 47 At once
48 失う度臆病になった 48 I lost my heart
49 今より多くは望まないから 49 Because I don’t want more now
50 50
51 そうやって曖昧な興味を保つ言葉 51 A word that is vague
52 大人になることだと思い込んだ 52 I thought it would be an adult
53 僕は 53 I
54 偒付くことから逃げてるだけで 54 Just escape from the attachment
55 ほんどはただ 55 Really
56 今でもまた 56 Even now
57 信じたいんだ 57 I want to believe
58 58
59 ずっと 59 All along
60 僕は 60 I
61 僕らは 61 We
62 誰もが別の世界を生きてる 62 Everyone lives in another world
63 だから手を繋いて 63 So I tied hands
64 そう言葉を交わして 64 With words
65 ひとりきりではないと 65 Not alone
66 お互いに誤魔化し合うんだ 66 We mistook each other
67 67
68 いっか 68 Either
69 この未熟な孤独に包まれて 69 Wrapped in this immature loneliness
70 覚えた寂しさと痛みの分だけ 70 Only loneliness and pain
71 優しくなれたら 71 Be kind
72 人を信じられたら 72 If you believe people
73 ずっと 73 All along
74 君を 74 You
75 「誰もがひとりだ」分かり合いたいと 75 Everyone wants to understand
76 寄り添いあった心が触れるその時 76 The time when a heart is touched
77 一瞬この世界は一つに見えた 77 For a moment this world looked one

Meaning

The lyrics you provided are a deeply introspective and poignant reflection on the themes of isolation, individuality, and the longing for connection. Let’s break down the key elements and possible meanings:

  1. Isolation and Individuality:
    • The singer expresses a sense of living in their own individual world, separate from others (“僕は/僕らは/ひとりきりの世界を生きている” – “I/We live in our own solitary world”).
    • As they come into contact with the ‘worlds’ of others, they realize the deep-seated differences and the inherent solitary nature of existence.
  2. Realization and Memory:
    • The realization of this isolation makes the singer recall the innocence and simplicity of childhood, when they believed that merely sharing names and promises created a unified world.
  3. Disillusionment and Withdrawal:
    • As understanding and tolerance decrease over time (“分かり合えないことが/許し合えないことが”), the singer loses hope in mutual trust and connection and eventually withdraws from expecting such bonds.
  4. Desire for Connection:
    • Despite recognizing their solitary nature, the singer and others still yearn for connection (“それでも誰かを求めるのは/孤独をただ素直に受け入れたまま/生きていけるほど大人じゃないから”).
  5. Shared Yet Divergent Perceptions:
    • The imagery of classroom drawings represents how everyone sees the world differently. Even when drawing the same scene, each person’s interpretation and perception are unique.
  6. Struggles and Acceptance:
    • The singer grapples with the balance between accepting this divergence and the inherent desire to connect and understand each other (“独りよがりは/行き過ぎてない物ねだり”).
  7. Growth and Compassion:
    • Through experiencing loneliness and pain, the singer aspires to become kinder and more trusting (“覚えた寂しさと痛みの分だけ/優しくなれたら/人を信じられたら”).

Conclusion and Hope

  • In the end, despite recognizing the inherent solitude of each individual, the singer cherishes moments of connection where two hearts touch, and the world momentarily feels unified (“一瞬この世界は一つに見えた”).

Overall Message:

The lyrics delicately articulate the paradox of human existence: while we each live in our own isolated worlds, the yearning for connection and understanding persists. The singer acknowledges this duality but holds onto the hope that moments of genuine connection can transcend the inherent isolation.

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