I do like this version of the intro, particularly the good sync between the music and the visuals, and I absolutely love J-pop, but I have to admit that the instrumental opening is so much more beautiful. The song is so emotional, and I think that it matches the feel of the game more than J-pop. I am glad that they changed the intro for the English version, personally.
The Japanese and the International version of the opening has a totally different feel. As many have said, the International version is more of a "War" themed music, and is quite moving. On the other hand, the Japanese version is more about the love story between the main characters. I like both, but think they have totally different focus, and makes the focus of the game quite different.
To add to Cyral's comment, a large number of times it has to do with licensing rights too. Anime and video games aren't using their own songs made JUST for the show/game like Scooby Doo and Captain Planet, these are actual songs that will go on an musician's album and it doesn't come in the package deal with the rights to the game. The rights to use the song must be purchased separately. Many times the decision to cut the japanese stuff happens due to stuff on the Japan side of things.
Not going to lie. I love Japanese music but the music from the English opening was phenomenal. This is one of the few time in my life I have ever preferred the English version over the Japanese one.
Strange this wasn't included in the North American Remaster. Tales of Symphonia Chronicles included remixed versions of the Japanese openings after all.
Keep in mind that as with things like voice acting, if you played the JP version originally, you'll probably associate that with the game a lot more, and vice versa, and that definitely affects your preference. I played the NA and can't really say I'm objective on this either. That said, I think the localization probably did the smart thing here. Here was a song that was used all of once in the game (and not even full length), with one of the best instrumental tracks anywhere. Why waste it?
lol it doesn't matter what kind of genre the song played in a japanese games, as long as it is a Japanese song some people will call it random Jpop song. These ppl always make me laugh
The international opening is like a saga, the asian opening is like a story of a few people in the war: how they loved, fought and seen more than their fair share of death. I personally don't "prefer" a version because both openings fit their version of voice acting and overall vibe perfectly, cannot complain.
Nice song. I tend not to care about the language, if you've got a proper appreciation for music, you get the gist of it by the way it's sung. But I like the way this one ended, just a tender moment between Welkin and Alicia.
You know, usually I like Japanese openers, but in this case they did right with replacing the purely synthed jpop with the orchestral music in the US release. When I heard THAT music play when I popped in the disc, I just couldn't get myself to hit START to get to the main title screen. But this.... meh. It's not the vocals that bug me, it's the instrumentation. Come ON! This is MIDI synth.... on a High Def, visually stunning game. The game itself demands higher quality in opener music
@theshonen8899 Agreed. Much like in Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, the song is just out of place. With the US version it felt like it belonged with the type of emotion that the game was putting forth. It's almost like a summery of what the game is about. With this song, it might give the same emotions, but the tone is completely different from the rest of the game. With other games like Grandia III or Tales, the tone is more inline with this sort of song. Valkyria Chronicles, isn't.
If you just commented on the fact that you dont like the opening music then get the hell out of here! -_- No one wants to listen to you guys cry or try to shove your opinions down other peoples throat! Valkyria Chronicles was an awesome game or nice song thats the only thing people care about on this video otherwise dont click the video link in the first place!
@Cyral189 As someone who knows a decent amount of Japanese, sometimes watches anime, and generally dislikes arbitrarily localization, I have to say that I'm not a fan of how often jpop songs get "fan amv'd" onto the openings of (otherwise) epic games. The english opening is much better because it actually fits. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of japanese gamers preferred it. I know I wouldn't be pleased if american pop artists were doing the intros of an rpg drama.
Kuroi Michaelis that's because the english version doesn't need lyrics. All the emotion in the music is delivered solely through the melody and tone of the instruments, which actually makes it more powerful and memorable. Not to mention that for a story that is basically a fantasy version of WW2, a Band of Brothers-styled orchestral intro feels more fitting than a slow ballad, which (no offense to the song or anyone who prefers this version) actually sounds like a demo track you find in those basic keyboards you buy when you start taking piano lessons. The song is nice, but it's not what I'd expect for a story like this Also, claiming that a song is inherently better than another simply because it has lyrics is ludicrous. It's the same as saying that niki minaj's "anaconda" is better than Vivaldi's Winter simply because it has lyrics.
I feel that the English version opening was much more beautifully done, and definitely gives the game a much more epic feel. Plus, it suits the footage shown a lot more.
This opening really doesn't fit the opening like the English version does, in my opinion. Nice job Sega. I wonder how they'll handle the second game's opening.
Japanese Version is Better, ever! Why? SEGA change all opening your games? Asian have one version, Europe and America have other. Some people like me, love japanese music, and love anime, why change?
