ORANGE RANGE - O2 PV (CODE GEASS R2 OP1) May 14
Watch it in high quality here.
While I was kind of looking forward to another FLOW OP song for CODE GEASS this season, what we got instead was ORANGE RANGE. At first, this song seemed a bit out of place to me, especially after hearing FLOW’s “WORD OF THE VOICE”, which is used as the second OP of PERSONA -trinity soul-. When I compared these two songs at the time, I couldn’t help but think how FLOW’s song seemed to fit CODE GEASS better (subjectively speaking), but that was undoubtedly because it was more reminiscent of “COLORS” used in season one’s OP.
Regardless, this song has grown on me after listening to it for a while, although I’m sure having it affiliated with CODE GEASS adds to its appeal. My first exposure to ORANGE RANGE’s music was probably the first OP of Bleach, titled “*~Asterisk”. Back then, their founding member, Kitao Kitahito (北尾 一人) a.k.a. “KATCHAN”, was still a part of the group. Kitahito was the drummer, but has since left due to supposed “creative differences”. History aside, the interesting thing about ORANGE RANGE is that the group features three vocalists, who provide the low, mid, and high range of vocals we hear in their various songs. “O2″ in particular focuses on high range vocals, which are so high at times that I sometimes mistake Ganeko Yamato (我如古 大和) for a girl. o_O
The current ORANGE RANGE members are:
- Hiroyama Naoto (広山 直人) - “NAOTO” - Leader, Guitar, Chorus, Composer, Programming, Other Instruments (born May 8, 1983)
- Miyamori Yoh (宮森 洋) - “YOH” - Bass (born December 11, 1983)
- Miyamori Ryou (宮森 涼) - “RYO” - Low Vocals (born October 1, 1985)
- Hokama Hiroki (外間 弘樹) - “HIROKI” - Mid-range Vocals (born June 29, 1983)
- Ganeko Yamato (我如古 大和) - “YAMATO” - High Vocals (born January 14, 1984)
Unsurprisingly, Naoto took over the leader role since he’s one of the original co-founders of the group. Yoh and Ryou are brothers, Hiroki was the original vocalist and was an outsider of the core group, and Yamato was scouted. Age-wise, they’re all still fairly young (…at least to me they are).
The “O2″ PV itself was pretty entertaining, as it told a mini-story in what I would imagine to be the Edo period. This was also the first time I had a chance to hear the full version of the song, which is probably going to stay on my playlist for awhile now. Script-wise, the band members portray a group of elite commoners (?) who come along and save the day in an all out showdown (対決). At one point during the clash, Hiroki moved lightning fast, snatching the katanas out of all the enemies’ hands, which I found pretty funny since it was reminiscent of Rolo’s Geass. Other than that, the samurai guard and the princess screaming out, “I CONTINUE TO FIGHT!, I CONTINUE TO FIGHT!” was a nice touch.
Akio at 8:12 pm on May 14th, 2008
hahaha i didnt think the video was gonna be like this but the song was kool
e3m88 at 8:15 pm on May 14th, 2008
I continue to fight or fly?
Cain at 8:25 pm on May 14th, 2008
And the thief/Rogue saves the day
KaMen at 8:38 pm on May 14th, 2008
I liked the fighting part, especially the ‘weapon’ in the form of a bell from the guy with the dog.
lialiakicks at 8:39 pm on May 14th, 2008
The “I continue to fight” screams made me lol. HARD. XD;;;
While Yamato does have a pretty high voice, I never mistook him for a girl. XD;;;
The PV was interesting tho. Can’t wait for the CG ending theme’s PV. *___* DO WANT.
Sue at 9:01 pm on May 14th, 2008
I like O2 but yeah when i first heard FLOW’s “WORD OF THE VOICE” on PERSONA, it really reminded me of Code Geass and how it would have fit well as the OP. well there might be another second OP for Code Geass right?
divine at 9:05 pm on May 14th, 2008
@Sue:
I’m sure there will be, hence why I’ve labeled this post “CODE GEASS R2 OP1″. For the second OP, it would be nice to hear another FLOW song.
Ra at 9:06 pm on May 14th, 2008
I always thought it was “I thought that you could fly”, guess I was way off.
KaminaLives at 9:22 pm on May 14th, 2008
That dog is full of win. I got a chance to see Orange Range live in concert at Okinawa Ocean Expo Park in the summer of 06 (I think) and they did Asterik among other songs from their album(s). Was a fun time. Seeing this video makes me LOL. I can appreciate them wanting to tell a story and having fun playing chambara samurai dress-up but at the same time it’s a pretty hokey vid. Fun fun stuff.
But the song itself is pretty darn catchy. FLOW’s stuff is too.
Hei at 9:39 pm on May 14th, 2008
To be honest I didn’t really like any of the code geass openings beside the special one for the last two episode which aired separately ahaha although I do like the I CONTINUE TO FIGHT~~! part
LAWLIET at 9:46 pm on May 14th, 2008
I like this music video; the outfits of the band members especially (so colourful
)
Vanessa at 10:39 pm on May 14th, 2008
Aha…haha…ha…cheesy, but pretty good still. I loled all the way through. XD
Sadmask at 10:47 pm on May 14th, 2008
I CONTINUE TO FIGHT!
exia at 10:52 pm on May 14th, 2008
rolos geass
Szetolf at 11:17 pm on May 14th, 2008
IMO i didn’t feel the music video/the song really match that well.. but its still a nice song and I still like the show =)
Rick at 11:26 pm on May 14th, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu-WQUxsY80 - check it out, this definitely should have been the OP of R2
jitensha at 11:44 pm on May 14th, 2008
I like the song but not the vid because it is not very related to the song itself. Even so, great production.
furinyue at 11:45 pm on May 14th, 2008
the pv kinda suck !! dont match with the song.
i heard some rumors , that there will have geass in the pv!!!
Youko at 11:48 pm on May 14th, 2008
The vid was pretty entertaining at parts but I wish there wasn’t so much background noise because I wanted to make a good mp3 rip of it.
divine at 11:55 pm on May 14th, 2008
@Rick:
OMG, that’s too cool. =D