 •Virtual
Star Hasseigaku
•Virtual
Star Embryology
•Shoujo
Kakumei Utena Original Soundtrack 2
Original Japanese Release
Catalog (KICA) Number(s): KICA-374
Release Date: 11-6-97 (November 6th, 1997)
Price: ¥3,059
Released by: KING Records Co., Ltd.
Release in the United States
This CD was released in the US, but the distributor ceased release shortly after due to bankrupty. :(
Release Date: 2-8-05 (February 8th, 2005)
Price: ~$14.98
Released by: Pioneer / Geneon
In
twenty-eight tracks, this CD covers the background music, duel
choruses, and opening/closing themes of the Black
Rose Arc (aka Kurobara Hen). Both the opening ("Rinbu
Revolution") and first closing ("Truth")
are featured here in their TV length, as opposed to
the full versions which appear on soundtrack one. Also present
is the full version (plus a special karaoke version)
of the second closing, "Virtual Star Embryology".
(This is the J-Pop version, not to be confused with
Seazer's version, which is Saionji's duel in the Akio
Arc. That one is on soundtrack three.) Also here is the Akio/Apocalypse
Arc version of Absolute Destiny: Apocalypse called
"The Absolute Destiny: Apocalypse with Universal
Gravitation".
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01. Virtual Star Embryology (4:08)
02. Inhuman Illusory Soul Fusion Magic (1:25) (TRANSLATION)
03. Utopian Past-Tense Incantation (2:04) (TRANSLATION)
04. Earth as a Character Gallery (1:52) (TRANSLATION)
05. Conic Absolute Egg Algebra (1:34) (TRANSLATION)
06. Transparent Period of Adolescence (1:45) (TRANSLATION)
07. Magic Lantern Butterfly Moth 16th Century (1:38)
(TRANSLATION)
08. Rinbu Revolution (TV size) (1:35) (TRANSLATION)
09. Aphrodite of Death: Reminiscence (3:45)
10. A Distillation Time (1:10)
11. Girls After School (2:40)
12. Panorama of the Full Bloom (1:22)
13. Requiem (2:01)
14. Dona Dona (2:56)
15. A Hunch on the Look in the Eyes (1:58)
16. Dreaming Cells (2:28)
17. To the Battle Castle (2:24)
18. Nostalgia of Diversion (2:16)
19. Nemuro Memorial Hall (1:55)
20. Eternal Secret (1:46)
21. Confession Elevator - Daydreaming Troublesome Insects (3:43)
22. Knife of Nectar (1:50)
23. Extra Girl (Ape) (2:33)
24. Ball of Death (1:54)
25. The Absolute Destiny: Apocalypse with Universal
Gravitation (2:49)
26. Fruit of the Sin (1:16)
27. Truth (TV size) (1:18), (TRANSLATION)
28. Virtual Star Embryology (Karaoke) (4:08)
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Score: 7.5 of 10
There are two CDs that
are worth the price you pay for them on background music alone, and
this is one of them. Though later episodes of the series
are far darker in content, the Black Rose Saga maintained
a uniquely black and moody atmosphere that's owed in
great part to the music. Though the CD has its share
of perky tracks, the overall mood is heavy, and if you're
looking for a pick-me-up, you'd do better with soundtrack one.
The leading track is
the J-Pop ending theme "Virtual Star Embryology", which
I personally prefer to both the first ending, and the
much loved "Rinbu Revolution", but I admit major bias
on account of love of Seazer and love of Saionji. (The
latter endearing me also to "To the Battle Castle",
a perky, vaguely techno track.) "Nemuro Memorial Hall"
and "Eternal Secret" are my absolute favorite tracks
on this CD. They're not particularly dark on their own,
but associations made from the series cast a shadow
on them, and "Nemuro Memorial Hall" in particular feels
'villainy'. "Aphrodite of Death ~ Reminiscence" returns
from soundtrack one for a most welcome makeover, if you like
it sounding more depressing. (I do.) "Requiem" has hot
hot organ action, and "Knife of Nectar" is perfect for
creeping out little kids with eerie foreboding vocals.
"Confession Elevator - Daydreaming Trouble Insects"
is two songs in one, the latter being a calm, sad one
and a half minutes that I have a bad habit of skipping
straight to. "Panorama of the Full Bloom" and "Dona
Dona" are both 100% Nanami and that's all that needs
to be said about them, aside from their being two perky
tracks I'm most fond of for the mischief and cow memories.
The CD strays a bit into the Akio Arc's territory with
"Ball of Death" and "Fruit of the Sin". (As well as
the aforementioned "To the Battle Castle".) "Ball of
Death" never fails to put a smile on my face, but I
can't tell if that's on account of associating it with
Akio's adorable little car rides or that awful frame
of animation where Touga's shirt is open. "Fruit of
the Sin" is basically "Poison" from soundtrack three made relatively
safe to listen to in front of your parents.
The duel choruses on
this CD are a mixed blessing. I love them all but they're
so painfully short you have to thank god for repeat
functions—it doesn't feel like you've listened
to a full song until the fourth or fifth repeat. "Magic
Lantern Butterfly Moth 16th Century" is the winner;
Wakaba's duel chorus is as emotionally charged as the
duel. "Inhuman Illusory Soul Fusion Magic" and "Conic
Absolute Egg Algebra" are my favorites after that one,
largely on account of fondness for their lyrics.
This is one of the best
Shoujo Kakumei Utena releases, and luckily, not the hardest to find,
since it's one of the series arc soundtracks and not
an extra.
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