is the third
single
Single may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Single (music), a song release
Songs
* "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004
* "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008
* "Single" (William Wei song), 2016
* "Single", by ...
by Japanese singer-songwriter
Mari Iijima
is a Japanese actress and singer. She writes and produces most of her own music, and plays the piano and other instruments. After being signed to JVC Victor in 1982, Mari first became known for her voice-acting role as Lynn Minmay in the anime ...
, released on June 5, 1984, by
Victor Entertainment
, also known as in Japan, is a subsidiary of JVCKenwood that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It is known as JVC Entertainment in countries where Sony Music Ent ...
. Written by Kazumi Yasui and
Kazuhiko Katō
, nicknamed , was a Japanese record producer, songwriter and singer. He sometimes used the spelling of "Kazuhiko Katoh".
History
As a member of the Folk Crusaders, Katō launched his recording career in the mid-1960s. "Kaettekita Yopparai (I O ...
, it was used as the
theme song
Theme music is a musical composition that is often written specifically for radio programming, television shows, video games, or films and is usually played during the title sequence, opening credits, closing credits, and in some instances at so ...
of the 1984
mecha anime
Mecha anime and manga, known in Japan as and , are anime and manga that feature robots (mecha) in battle. The genre is broken down into two subcategories; "super robot", featuring super-sized, implausible robots, and "real robot", where robots are ...
film ''
Macross: Do You Remember Love?'', which also featured Iijima as the voice of
Lynn Minmay
Lynn Minmay ( Japanese: リン・ミンメイ ''Rin Minmei'', Chinese: 鈴明美 / 林明美 ''Líng Míngměi / Lín Míngměi'') is a fictional anime character from the '' Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' television series and '' Macross: D ...
. The B-side is , which was written by Iijima and used as the film's
ending theme.
The single peaked at No. 7 on
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan and Western music. It started as, which was founded by Sōkō Koike in Nov ...
's singles charts and landed at No. 38 on Oricon's 1984 year-ending chart while selling over 270,000 copies, making it Iijima's best-selling single.
"Ai Oboete Imasu ka" won the ''
Animage
is a Japanese anime and entertainment magazine which Tokuma Shoten began publishing in July 1978. Hayao Miyazaki's internationally renowned manga, ''Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind'', was serialized in ''Animage'' from 1982 through 1994. Oth ...
''
1984 Anime Grand Prix in the song category and the Theme Song Award at the 2nd Japan Anime Grand Prix. The song also ranked No. 1 on
NHK
, also known as NHK, is a Japanese public broadcaster. NHK, which has always been known by this romanized initialism in Japanese, is a statutory corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee.
NHK operates two terrestr ...
's in 2019.
Iijima re-recorded both "Ai Oboete Imasu ka" and "Tenshi no Enogu" in her 2002 self-cover album ''Mari Iijima Sings Lynn Minmay'' to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the ''Macross'' franchise.
Track listing
All music is arranged by Nobuyuki Shimizu.
;7-inch vinyl
;Mini-CD bonus tracks
Chart position
Cover versions
;Ai Oboete Imasu ka
*
Priscilla Chan
Priscilla Chan (born February 24, 1985) is an American philanthropist and a former pediatrician. She and her husband, Mark Zuckerberg, a co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms, established the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in December 2015, with a p ...
covered the song in Cantonese as "Zhēnqíng liúlù" (真情流露, "True Feelings") on her 1989 album ''Yǒngyuǎn shì nǐ de péngyǒu'' (永遠是你的朋友, ''Forever Your Friend'').
* Tommy Arai Project covered the song on their 1991 album ''House Animation''.
*
Tomo Sakurai
is a Japanese actress and singer. Sakurai was a member of I'm Enterprise but later became freelance until her retirement. She previously announced her retirement on September 1, 2016, but on June 1, 2019, she announced that she would return to t ...
covered the song as
Mylene Flare Jenius
is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1 ...
on the 1995 ''
Macross 7
is an anime television series. It is a sequel to the show ''The Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' that takes place many years after the events of the first series following a cast of mostly new characters. The show ran from October 16, 1 ...
'' soundtrack album ''Mylene Jenius Sings Lynn Minmay'' and the 1997 soundtrack album ''Macross Generation: Legend of Eternal Songs''. In addition, she recorded a duet with
Yukari Tamura
is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with Amuleto (formerly Arts Vision and I'm Enterprise). She debuted as a voice actress in 1997, releasing her debut single "Yūki o Kudasai" on March 26, 1997. Her role as Nanoha Takamachi in th ...
on the 1997 drama CD ''Macross Generation''.
*
Yuka Imai
is a Japanese former voice actress who was previously represented by Gekidan Moonlight and by Atomic Monkey at the time of her retirement. She was born in Atami, Shizuoka. On August 30, 2018, she announced her retirement from voice acting, whic ...
covered the song as an insert song for the 1996 manga ''
Macross 7: Trash''.
*
Yoko Ishida
is a Japanese singer. She is known for having performed theme songs for anime shows such as ''Prétear'', '' Ai Yori Aoshi'', the '' Ah! My Goddess'' TV series and the ''Strike Witches'' series, as well as for having sung for the Para Para Max ...
covered the song on her 2001 album ''Ultra Anime Eurobeat Series Bishojo MAX''.
* Ikurō Fujiwara recorded a piano cover of the song on his 2002 album ''Eternal Love Animation Hialing Music''.
*
Yoko Ueno
is a Japanese recording artist. She has performed in the bands, Oranges & Lemons, Vita Nova, Marsh-Mallow, and Zabadak.
Discography
CDs
* "Voices" (December 5, 1993 Biosphere Records)
* "Nursery Chimes" (ナーサリーチャイム ...
covered the song on the 2002 various artists album ''Macross: The Tribute''.
*
Mikuni Shimokawa
is a Japanese pop singer and songwriter. She is best known for her songs used for anime theme music, particularly the opening and ending themes of the Full Metal Panic! series. In addition to her vocal talents, Shimokawa can also play the piano ...
covered the song on her 2003 anime cover album ''Review''.
* Jessy covered the song on her 2005 album ''Jessy's Wonderland''.
* Dolce de Musica recorded a classical cover of the song on their 2006 self-titled album.
* MERDOG covered the song on the 2006 various artists album ''Trance Heaven Presents Anitra Heaven''.
* MUH~ covered the song on their 2006 album ''Vitamin MUH~''.
* Tokyo Brass Style recorded a jazz cover of the song on their 2006 album ''Feast Rafflesia -Ani Jazz 2nd note-''.
* I.B.I.S. feat. Seira Sakurai covered the song on their 2007 album ''Anime Trance 3'' and the 2008 album ''Anime Dance ~ Anison Hit Suite''.
*
Asami Imai
is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with Early Wing. She debuted as a voice actress in 1999 and as singer in 2009 by releasing her first single "Day by Day / Shining Blue Rain" under the 5pb. Records label. She is also well known f ...
covered the song on the 2007 compilation album ''
The Idolm@ster
is a Japanese media franchise that began in 2005 with a raising simulation and rhythm video game series created by Bandai Namco Entertainment (formerly Namco). The series primarily centers on the career of a producer who works with a group of ...
Radio Top x Top''.
*
Yumi Matsuzawa
is a Japanese singer from Fujimi, Saitama. She is best known for her debut release, "You Get to Burning", the opening theme for ''Martian Successor Nadesico'', as well as the movie version's theme song "Dearest" and the song "Chikyuugi", the op ...
covered the song on her 2007 a cappella album ''Anicappella''.
* Show-Ska covered the song on their 2007 album ''Skanimation Z''.
* Maki covered the song on the 2008 various artists album ''Exit Trance Presents R25 Speed Anime Trance Best''.
* Mizuka covered the song on her 2008 cover album ''Cover Girl''.
*
Haruko Momoi covered the song on her 2008 cover album ''More&More Quality RED ~ Anime Song Cover ~''.
*
Megumi Nakajima
is a Japanese voice actress and singer, who is affiliated with Stay Luck. Her involvement in the entertainment industry began in 2003 when she participated in an audition held by the talent agency Stardust Promotion, becoming affiliated with th ...
covered the song as
Ranka Lee as the B-side of her 2008 single "
Seikan Hikō". She also recorded an alternate version titled "Ai Oboete Imasu ka ~ Bless the Little Queen" on the 2008 ''
Macross Frontier
is a Japanese anime television series and the third Japanese anime television series set in the ''Macross'' universe. It was broadcast on MBS from April 4, 2008 to September 26, 2008.
''Macross Frontier'' is the story of a human space ...
'' soundtrack album ''
Macross Frontier O.S.T.2 Nyan TRA☆''.
*
Masahiro Sayama covered the song in piano on his 2008 album ''Anipiano''.
* anporin covered the song on the 2009 album ''Anime House Project ~ Kagami Selection Vol. 2 ~''.
* Miyuki Nakano covered the song on the 2009 compilation album ''Speed Anime M@ster -Anison Maaster-''.
*
m.o.v.e. covered the song on their 2009 cover album ''anim.o.v.e 01''.
* Ne-Ho covered the song on their 2009 album ''The Best of Cover Ne-Ho''.
* Romi covered the song on her 2009 cover album ''Ano Uta 2''.
* Suzume covered the song on the 2009 album ''Super Anime Remix Vol. 2''.
*
Chika Anzai
is a Japanese voice actress from Fukui Prefecture.[Chika Anzai's official blog](_blank)
(Ameblo). Accessed: Apr ...
covered the song on her 2010 album ''Super J-Euro Best Mix''.
*
Rasmus Faber
Rasmus may refer to:
People
* Rasmus (given name)
* Rasmus (surname)
Arts and entertainment
* The Rasmus, a Finnish rock band formerly called Rasmus
** ''The Rasmus'' (album), a self-titled studio album by the Finnish band
* the title chara ...
recorded a jazz cover of the song on his 2010 album ''Rasmus Faber presents Platina Jazz ~ Anime Standards Vol. 2 ~''.
* Keiko Mameda covered the song on the 2011 various artists album ''Butterfly Effect 3 Sorae''.
* Kanon Nakagawa starring
Nao Tōyama
is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with the agency Intention. Before joining Intention, she was affiliated with Arts Vision. She debuted as a voice actress in 2010, and played her first leading role as Kanon Nakagawa in ''The Worl ...
covered the song on the 2011 soundtrack album ''
The World God Only Knows
, abbreviated as , is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tamiki Wakaki. It was originally serialized in Shogakukan's ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' from April 2008 to April 2014, with its chapters collected in 26 ''tankōbon'' vo ...
: Character Cover Album ~ Selected by
Tamiki Wakaki
is a Japanese manga artist, notable for his manga series, '' The World God Only Knows''.
Works
Other works
Wakaki collaborated on Team Ninja's ''Dead or Alive 5 Last Round
''Dead or Alive 5 Last Round'' is a 2015 fighting game developed ...
''.
* W.C.D.A. recorded a house music cover of the song on their 2011 single "Ai Oboete Imasu ka (House Mix)".
*
Animetal USA
are a Japan-based American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed as a tribute to Eizo Sakamoto's band Animetal. They made their world debut at the 2011 Loud Park Festival, where they performed on stage with Momoiro Clover Z.
The band's ori ...
covered the song in English on their 2012 album ''
Animetal USA W
is the second studio album by Japan-based American heavy metal band Animetal USA, formed as a tribute to Eizo Sakamoto's band Animetal. Released through SME Records on June 6, 2012, the album consists of a series of English language covers of po ...
''.
*
Elisa
The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (, ) is a commonly used analytical biochemistry assay, first described by Eva Engvall and Peter Perlmann in 1971. The assay uses a solid-phase type of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect the presence ...
covered the song on her 2012 compilation album ''Rainbow Pulsation ~ The Best of Elisa ~''.
* Namida-bashi Gakuen Joshi Cover-bu covered the song on their 2012 album ''P!! Anison Cover 'Ppoido Non-Stop Mix''.
* Riyoko feat. Silent Jazz Case covered the song on her 2012 album ''Cure Jazz''.
* Sasa Handa covered the song on her 2013 album ''We Love Goya''.
*
Junko Iwao
is a Japanese voice actress and singer. Her most notable role is in ''Cardcaptor Sakura'', providing the voice to Sakura's best friend and cousin, Tomoyo Daidōji. She also voiced lead character Mima Kirigoe in ''Perfect Blue'', Ceres in ''Ceres ...
covered the song on her 2013 cover album ''Anison A to Z''.
* Screens covered the song on their 2014 album ''Movie Girl''.
*
Walküre (
Minori Suzuki
is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with E-Stone Music. She started her career after passing an audition for the role of Freyja Wion in the 2016 anime television series ''Macross Delta'', beating 8,000 other auditionees for the r ...
,
JUNNA,
Kiyono Yasuno
is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Miyagi Prefecture. She attended voice actor training classes of the Avex Artist Academy before becoming affiliated with Avex Planning and Development. She is known for her role as Megumi Katō in the a ...
,
Nozomi Nishida
is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Gifu Prefecture. She began her voice acting career in 2014 and played her first major role in 2016 as the character Makina Nakajima in the anime series ''Macross Delta''. She became part of the music ...
,
Nao Toyama) covered the song on the 2016 ''
Macross Delta
is a science fiction anime television series that aired on Tokyo MX in Japan from April 3, 2016, to September 25, 2016. The fourth television series set in the ''Macross'' universe, it is directed by Kenji Yasuda and written by Toshizo Nem ...
'' soundtrack ''Walküre Trap!''.
* M.O.E. covered the song on the 2017 album ''Kimi to Issho nara Melody mo Yūki ni Naru CD''.
;Tenshi no Enogu
* Tomo Sakurai covered the song on the 1997 ''Macross 7'' soundtrack album ''Macross Generation Legend of Eternal Songs''.
* Jessy covered the song on her 2005 album ''Jessy's Wonderland''.
* Megumi Nakajima covered the song as the B-side of her 2009 single "Nostalgia".
* Kaseki Cider covered the song on their 2013 album ''Kaseki Cider's Anisong! Vacation!''
*
Eriko Nakamura
is a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. In 2014, at the 4th Newtype Anime awards, she won a voice actor award (female).
Biography
After going through the Japan Narration Acting Institute, she joined Arts ...
covered the song as Haruka Amami on the 2015 soundtrack album ''The IdolM@ster Artist 3 01: Haruka Amami''.
References
External links
*
*
{{authority control
1984 singles
1984 songs
Macross
Anime songs
Japanese-language songs
Victor Entertainment singles