The 'Fusion' of Bolero and Digimon: Goosebumps at a Collaboration of Geniuses Across Time

Like a Kintaro candy, no matter where you cut it, it's the same.

That was my impression when I first heard Bolero.

To be blunt, I thought it was a boring piece of music.

Kintaro candy is made by taking a long, stretched-out candy and cutting it into small pieces.

The common theory is that it became a proverb meaning 'no matter where you cut it...' because the same pattern appears over and over.

It is mainly used to mean that something lacks individuality and everything is the same.

Because Bolero repeats the same melody endlessly, I associated it with Kintaro candy.

Although I have an interest in classical music, I am not very knowledgeable about it.

Back in high school, I only thought Chopin's 'Heroic Polonaise' was cool after hearing it in the drama 'Akai Gekiryu' starring Yutaka Mizutani.

As a guitar kid who admired rock guitarists, I knew Jeff Beck's 'Beck's Bolero.' Even that seemed boring to me, and I only listened to it a few times.

It was only much later that I realized it was a song Jimmy Page had arranged, inspired by Ravel's 'Bolero.'

Who would have thought that I, of all people, would become a fan of 'Bolero' because of a certain event?

(Whan-whan-whan-whan-whan... *sound effect for transitioning into a flashback scene)

Toei Anime Fair

About 25 years ago, when 'Pokémon' was adapted into a TV anime and its popularity was accelerating.

I took my two young daughters to the 'Toei Anime Fair' being held at a nearby civic center.

Among the three films being screened, the main one seemed to be an anime called 'Digimon.'

Judging by the name, I just thought, 'It's probably just a second-rate imitation of Pokémon'...

A familiar background track begins to play from the very beginning.

"Oh, it's Bolero."

It is rare for an anime opening theme to be classical music.

As I leaned forward, concentrating on the screen, I realized something was different.

The dialogue is sparse, with "Bolero" filling the gaps.

Isn't that quite a dramatic production?

I was drawn deeply into its world, and halfway through, I got goosebumps.

I was shocked by the innovative idea of playing only "Bolero" from start to finish for over 30 minutes.

"The person who made this anime is a hidden genius."

I groaned to myself repeatedly.

(Whon-whon-whon-whon-whon...)

"Summer Wars"

The anime film "Summer Wars" was released in theaters in the summer of 2009.

Since then, it has been broadcast on television every summer.

It can be said that director Mamoru Hosoda's name became famous largely due to this work.

I often watch it because I like the character of "Grandma Sakae," the great-grandmother of the heroine Natsuki who appears in "Summer Wars."

Just the other day, while reading an article about "Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna," which was released in February 2020, I was surprised to find director Mamoru Hosoda's name.

For anime fans, this might be something obvious.

But for someone like me who is unfamiliar with anime, it was moving to learn that the "Digimon Adventure" I saw at the civic hall back then was actually director Hosoda's debut work.

And it goes without saying that I was convinced he was a genius all along, seeing how it led to "Summer Wars."

A Fateful Collaboration Between Ravel and Mamoru Hosoda

This summer, the film "Boléro," which depicts the life of Maurice Ravel, was released.

While it goes without saying that Ravel was a genius composer, this is an ambitious work that focuses on the charm and magic of the "Boléro" he created.

"Boléro" is said to have been composed in 1928. Since it was used in "Digimon Adventure" after such a long time, Ravel must be pleased.

"Boléro" has influenced various artists, not only in the classical world but also in works like "Beck's Boléro." I cannot help but feel a connection between "geniuses" in the fact that director Mamoru Hosoda, who is not from a musical background, was inspired by it.

Various "Boléros"

I believe there are many things I could not fully convey in this short piece.

I will introduce the trailer for the film "Boléro," scenes from "Digimon," videos of pilgrimage sites posted by fans, and ballet dancers performing to "Boléro."

Please enjoy them at your leisure as time permits.

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