Endless Sounds: The Tatami Galaxy
Michiru Ōshima - The Tatami Galaxy (2010)
The Tatami Galaxy is a wonderfully charming anime of just 11 episodes that rushes by, following the protagonist, referred to simply as Watashi, and his university escapades trying to chase a romanticized ideal of campus life. Through parallel universes in each episode, dreamt up by him in his 4½ tatami-sized room, he tries to imagine how things might have gone differently if he had pursued other activities on campus. It's a very unique anime which I had recommended a long time ago by a dear friend (Thanks, Hult!). I didn't understand much of it at the time, but my appreciation for it has since grown immensely.
Now, we face the music!
Michiru Ōshima is a Japanese composer for the titular anime based on Tomihiko Morimi's novel, as well as the lovely video game ICO and the anime Fullmetal Alchemist (not Brotherhood, sorry!). The score matches the show in its delightful romanticism and deviously funny tone, mostly expressed through pieces for classical chamber ensembles. Watashi's theme and the song Maru o Sagashite, sung by the late Keiji Fujiwara, is particularly brimming with bittersweet longing and pained self pity. The God of Shimogamo Shrine, the Fortune Teller and Ozu's theme bring an impish mystique to their characters and how they foil Watashi. Great stuff, although it is naturally most effective within the context of the anime.
The album is bookended by a TV edit of a lovely and glitchy bit pop track, Kami-sama no Iu Tōri sung by Etsuko Yakushimaru and produced by Junji Ishiwatari & Yoshinori Sunahara, which I highly recommend listening to in full. The single even has a chiptune version!
Listen here:
The Tatami Galaxy - Original Soundtrack [YouTube]
Kami-sama no Iu Tōri - Music Video [YouTube]