Hyadain, whose real name is Kenichi Maeyamada, is a pop musician who has composed several anime theme songs and original content since 2007, distributing his work via Nico Nico Douga and YouTube. He gained wider recognition from fans from his contribution to anime opening and endings such as Hyadain no Kakakata Kataomoi-C, Hyadain no Joujou Yuujouand Zzz, both of which featured as the first and second openings and ending respectively in the TV anime, "Nichijou."
To celebrate Christmas, we bring you Hyadain’s single, Christmas? Nani sore? Oishii no?, released on November 23, 2011. Christmas, as most of us know, is different in Japan. Compared to the Western world, where it is a time for family and rest, a Japanese Christmas is solely for couples. For those without a significant other, it can be a difficult time or just another day. In the title track, Christmas? Nani sore? Oishii no?, Hyadain highlights single life and how much of a drag Christmas can be when one is single and is presented in a bittersweet kind of way. Christmas? Nani sore? Oishii no? borrows the melody of the traditional carol, Jingle Bell, but is made faster and is catchier. The line, “jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way” is deliberately replaced with “single hell, single hell, single always!” Later, other traditional carols feature, both in English and Japanese.
The B-side, Ano ni no boku e, is less crazy than Christmas? Nani sore? Oishii no?. The PV is pretty interesting with many shots done in 8-bit style rendering, placed between moments of a young boy's life.
D.T. no uta is the third track on the single, and is very energetic. The lyrics are especially hilarious but overall, because of the hilarity, it’s hard to take it seriously!
The Christmas-themed release includes instrumental versions for each of the three tracks. The second disc contains the PV's for Christmas? Nani sore? Oishii no? and Ano ni no boku e as well as a making-of clip.
Originally, Christmas? Nani sore? Oishii no? was released back around the same time in 2010, but Hyadain has released a 2011 version. Check out the PV below, starring actress Yuko Takayama as Hyadaruko on vocals.
