Spica (Maaya Sakamoto song)
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| "Spica" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Maaya Sakamoto | ||||
| from the album Single Collection+ Mitsubachi | ||||
| Language | Japanese | |||
| A-side | "Kazemachi Jet" (double A-side) | |||
| Released | June 14, 2006 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:14 | |||
| Label | Victor Entertainment | |||
| Composer | H-Wonder | |||
| Lyricist | Maaya Sakamoto | |||
| Producers |
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| Maaya Sakamoto singles chronology | ||||
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"Spica" (スピカ) is a song by Japanese singer-songwriter and voice actress Maaya Sakamoto. Co-written by Sakamoto and H-Wonder, the song served as insert song for the second season of the television anime series Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, and was released as a double A-side single along with "Kazemachi Jet" on June 14, 2006, by Victor Entertainment.[1]
"Spica" originated as one of several demo tracks created for potential use as the ending theme for the second season of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle.[2] Both "Spica" and the A-side "Kazemachi Jet" were among the final candidates considered for use in the series,[3] and Sakamoto wrote the lyrics for both tracks while envisioning the anime's world, ensuring that each song aligned with its emotional tone despite their differing styles.[3]
In contrast to "Kazemachi Jet," which channels straightforward positive energy and reflects the forward momentum of protagonist Syaoran, "Spica" was crafted to explore a different artistic desire: a song with distinctly feminine qualities.[2] Sakamoto explained her inspiration on the song by stating: "I wanted to express not women's softness, but their strength—like maternal strength. I used to think maternity was something people gain with age, but I have come to think that women have it at their core no matter how young. Now that I am in my late twenties, I have started feeling the urge to protect younger kids or those weaker than me. I used to think it had nothing to do with me. Also, sometimes it is nice to sing as a woman who can support a guy."[2]
Eventually "Kazemachi Jet" was selected as ending theme for the anime and, although written for the anime, "Spica" was not explicitly tied-in to Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle at the time of the announcement of the release of the double A-side single.[4] However, the song was subsequently used as an insert song in the anime.[5][6] "Spica" was not included on Sakamoto's 2008 album Kazeyomi, nor was it included on any soundtrack album of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle. It ultimately made its first album appearance in the 2012 compilation Single Collection+ Mitsubachi.[6]
Composition and themes
"Spica" is written from the perspective of the Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle character Sakura, contrasting with the Syaoran-centered viewpoint of "Kazemachi Jet". Sakamoto described the song as conveying Sakura's supportive gaze toward Syaoran: “It is important to keep moving forward with courage, but also it is okay to show weakness sometimes.”[3] The lyrics emphasize feminine strength and maternal nature, portraying a form of love expressed through quiet presence and emotional understanding rather than overt action. Sakamoto noted that while both songs share the same emotional core, they form a complementary pair, reflecting the dual perspectives of the anime's protagonists.[3]
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of the CD single.[7]
- Maaya Sakamoto – songwriting, vocals, production
- H-Wonder – songwriting, all other instruments, arrangements
- Udai Shika – string arrangements
- Kenji Suzuki – guitar
- Chiharu Mikuzuki – bass
- Shoko Oki – violin
- Mikiko Ise – violin
- Kaori Naruse – viola
- Masayuki Nakahara – mixing engineer
- Yoshinobu Ohmura – mixing assistant
- Kohji Satoh – coordinator
- Hiroshi Kawasaki – mastering
- Mitsuyoshi Tamura – production