[Songs to Cheer You Up] For your alarm! For the walk home on a gloomy day!! Special effects songs for you

Everyone, what songs come to mind when you think of something that cheers you up?

Rock, Western music, J-Pop, K-Pop, idols... Music is overflowing in this world and shows no signs of stopping. However, isn't there a moment when music you've become accustomed to listening to starts to feel bothersome? Because you're used to it, you can hum along when the music plays. You know the lyrics. Even words that are hard to hear because they're drowned out by the music can be corrected in your head because you know the correct lyrics. But don't you ever get tired of listening to only that kind of music one day?

This time, I would like to present some special effects (tokusatsu) songs to you.

Of course, for those who have watched tokusatsu before, know about it, or are geeks, these songs might already be part of the music you're used to, so the story is a bit different for those people.

This article is aimed at people who don't really know much about tokusatsu.

Of course, I would be happy if those who do know tokusatsu read it as well.

1. PANDORA

This is the theme song for Kamen Rider Build. A big-name artist whose name goes without saying wrote the lyrics and music, but I will intentionally not mention the name this time. If you listen to the tune and think you might like it, try adding it to your playlist. When you've forgotten about it, you'll think, 'What is this song?' and be able to enjoy it freshly. Since it's the theme song for a Kamen Rider that sings about LOVE & PEACE throughout, it's not too dark, and because it's grand techno, it's not a 'song that makes you feel like a villain' which was popular for a while, but a 'song that makes you feel like a hero.' It's refreshing, so it's also recommended for an alarm clock.

By the way, if you use Twitter often, the three-split Japanese illustration you've seen in reply sections comes from this Rider.

2. W-B-X

A jazz-like, up-tempo song. It's sung by a female vocalist with a strong, bitter edge, so it's not overly cheerful, but I recommend listening to it at night. When you want to start riding your bike or driving your car in the middle of the night, it gives you the power to press the accelerator for the first time. The guitar is driving, so it's especially recommended for those who are familiar with guitar sounds.

This is the theme song for Kamen Rider W. Haven't you all seen a Kamen Rider on Twitter whose body is half black and green, and the other half black and purple? This is also the debut work of the very popular actor Masaki Suda.

3. Journey through the Decade

A song full of gravitas sung by GACKT. Of course, since it's a song for a hero who thrilled children on Sunday mornings, I won't say it's not up-tempo, but it's quite a relaxed song among those I'm introducing this time. Since the lyrics touch quite a bit on the content of the work, there might be parts that don't make sense if you try to enjoy it just as a song, but since it's nominated as a song to cheer you up this time, that's fine. It's a song that makes you feel like you've become incredibly strong. Let's go to work thinking of it as your entrance music. You can feel like you could punch your annoying boss, at least in your head. It's perfect for convincing yourself that you're just choosing not to punch them because you are an overwhelming powerhouse.

4. SURPRISE DRIVE

It is incredibly up-tempo. This song, overflowing with a sense of speed that makes you want to tap along to the beat, is the theme song for Kamen Rider Drive, played by Ryoma Takeuchi. I recommend this for when you're driving during the day or in the morning and can't find the energy to press the gas pedal. Or, I think it's music that can deliver even more energy to those commuting on high-speed vehicles like trains or buses.

Just be careful, as you might feel the urge to strike a finishing pose at the end of the song.

5. EXCITE

This is a song I often heard on the radio or cable broadcasts back then, even though I didn't know much about special effects shows at the time. It's a techno-style up-tempo song by Daichi Miura. When my classmate was singing "Excite, Excite," I was like "????," but now I agree that it's a song you can't help but want to hum along to.

It is the theme song for Kamen Rider Ex-Aid, which features a shocking pink Kamen Rider. The theme is a seemingly strange combination of games and medicine, but with Hiroki Iijima starring, it is quite a high-quality production. If by any chance this text makes you feel like watching Kamen Rider, this is a masterpiece I recommend for a first-time viewer.

6. Anything Goes!

Since this is getting long, I think I'll wrap up this text here, but I couldn't leave this song out as it is the theme song for my absolute favorite hero, so I will introduce it.

It is a gentle yet strong song, as if Maki Ohguro's powerful singing voice is firmly supporting your back. It makes you feel like you could fly off into the blue sky. It's so good that it needs no explanation, so please give it a listen.

I've written at length up to this point, but I wonder how many kind-hearted people will actually search for these not-so-short, unfamiliar special effects songs and save them to a playlist. So, this time, I'm going to paste my playlist that includes all of these songs, so please take a listen if you'd like. Of course, since it was made by a special effects geek, it also includes some unnecessarily stylish insert songs, but I'd be happy if you could turn a blind eye to that. Also, even if they aren't included here, there are many wonderful songs. I cut them out so it wouldn't get too long, but if you know special effects, please leave a comment if you have other songs that cheer you up like these.

I pray that your life will be a wonderful one, boosted by heroes.

Playlist => https://spotify.link/Rh4QIk8GPXb