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The Promised Neverland: Takahiro Obata's comments for the OSTs (vol. 3)
The original note (in Japanese) can be found here. The comments for the first volume can be found here, for the second one — here.
Translated by TrianaNero and Hiro. A separate shout-out of gratitude goes to Joseph Ball for helping us edit it! Please note that we are not professional translators, but we found the comments really interesting and really wanted to share it with you the best we can!
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Here is the commentary for the soundtracks of The Promised Neverland, released as a bonus for the third Blu-ray volume. Now, along with the first two volumes, I have covered all tracks that played in the anime. Since in this volume I will mostly talk about the songs that played during the climax of the series, all of them are going to be filled to the brim with emotions and drama.
● 1. The Promised Neverland Main Theme2
It is almost identical to the main theme in the second volume, except that the last few chords are different. This version is the one that was used at the end of the 12th episode, and I wanted to create a feeling of setting off to a brighter future, so I made the ending sound less resolute and more of something that would leave you wanting more.
● 2. Jailbreak
This track played in the 12th episode during the escape scene. While I was working on this music I imagined the children training for this escape all the way to them actually realizing their plan. Director Kobe liked the demo of this track so much, that the scene was later recut to match with the final version music. At the dubbing stage I was asked to check it, and it matched so well that it gave me chills. Recently more and more CM music is also made in this way, so it was quite educational.
● 3. Strategy for Escape
This track didn't play in the anime, but I composed it while imagining Emma, Norman and Ray planning their escape. It has the same motif as Norman's theme (08 22194).
● 4. Emma's Determination
I made this track to represent Emma's determination. When the PV that included this track came out, the warm reception it received made me really happy. It is based on the principle of starting with minimal music that is repeated over and over again and slowly changes each time. This track shows Emma's strength as she stubbornly carries on and organizes everyone. It played in the 6th episode during Don's "I want to become stronger" moment, and when Emma was rushing. Don was really cool, so the scene turned out great.
● 5. Grandma and Demons
I made this track imagining Grandna and demons! It starts playing in the 3rd episode from 10:40, and in the 11th episode when Ray tried to pour the oil over himself. During the post production the sound designers created sounds that I didn't write, and although I was surprised it ended up matching Ray`s character really nice. The cembalo plays the same melody as in Ray's theme!
● 6. Isabella's Lullaby, Mandolin ver.
It played in the 12th episode when Leslie was playing the mandolin. It's amazing how many views it has on Youtube... I also saw some guitar covers. In the 12th episode, when the story, animation and the music climaxed together, I was incredibly happy as a composer to see that all my work had paid off.
● 7. Calculating the Escape
This one is about Emma, Norman and Ray analyzing their situation in order to make their escape. I don't think it was used in the anime, but it did play in the Neverland Radio. The motif of Norman's theme (08 22194) is also used here.
● 8. 08 22194 (Norman's Theme)
I really wanted to create a track that would describe Norman, who thinks about so many things at once. And with that in mind, I tried to make various phrases overlap with one another. There are some other motifs sprinkled around too, so have fun finding those (laughs).
● 9. Each Of Their Own Thoughts
This track wasn't used in the anime, but I composed it thinking about Connie who didn't want to part ways with the other kids in the first episode. I wonder if there will be some kind of scene in the second season where we could still use it?!
● 10. Plotting the Escape
I had Emma, Norman and Ray plotting the escape in my mind when I was working on it. I made three tracks about "thinking" and "reasoning" in total. This one was used in the anime.
● 11. Ray's Retaliation
This track is like what would happen if you took my special, patented Obata style and lit it on fire (laughs). I thought about Ray trying to set himself on fire with oil and made a more violent version of his theme. I think there were about 14 tracks of piano overlapped in the intro. Also, I imagined Rey's character as a saxophone, so I had the musician play it more violently and dramatically to match the feel of the song.
● 12. The Promised Neverland Epf solo Ver
This one also didn't play in the anime, but it was used in the drama CD! It has a somewhat warm image, like watching a beautiful sunset! Since the music in the third volume was so intense and heavy, I intended for this song to release all that built up tension, it would be good if you listened to this song after the others.
● Conclusion
The Promised Neverland is the first animation I worked on as a composer. Thanks to my encounter with director Kobe, the support of the staff, and our wonderful performers, I think I was able to accomplish 120% more than I expected to when I first started working on this series last year. I also believe that with this project I was able to create something that the world can know me by. I think the world of The Promised Neverland will change a lot in the second season, so I will do my best with my colleagues to focus on the music and deliver even more stunning pieces. There's still some time left, but please look forward to the second season of The Promised Neverland in 2020.
Composer & Arranger Takahiro Obata
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Thank you very much for reading! You can let us know what you think about the translation here, and if you want to express your gratitude to the composer (which we highly recommend), you can do it here and tweet to Obata-san, he really appreciates your comments and support!
Please remember that the best way to support the composer is by purchasing CDs or official online releases! Don't forget that music is a way of making a living just like anything else ╰(*´︶`*)╯