Zen – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: BAND-MAID

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the electrifying world of BAND-MAID's 'Zen,' the opening theme for the anime 'ZENSHU.' This powerful hard rock anthem offers a fantastic opportunity to explore Japanese lyrics and the nuances of expression used to convey themes of determination and breaking free. Discover how the band masterfully blends intricate musicality with impactful vocals, making 'Zen' a compelling listen and a unique pathway to Japanese language and culture. You can learn about modern Japanese rock vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and how themes are conveyed through powerful vocal delivery and instrumental storytelling.

[English]

I am drawing new lines into the emptiness

Nobody knows about the new future

...

Stained in total darkness

A story of destruction

Everyone's lonely

A pencil defying fate

Adding pages

Another ending

Come on, pan up, pan down

Light on, light off

Again and again, Re:Re: edit

Drawing a new verse for no one

The future we can't be robbed of

There's nothing useless, everything's clear

A new world starting to move

Open up the chest, set it free

Right here, let's reclaim the shine

...

Alone, I am powerless

Break out of the shell, go for action!

Why don't we fight together

We will, we will never give up

Even if fate is against us

Adding pages

A happy ending

Come on, fade in, fade out

Frame in, frame out

Again and again, Re:Re: edit

Drawing a new verse for anyone

Our future that can't be stolen

There's not a single useless thing

A new world begins to move

Open your heart and set free

Right here, let's take back the shine

I drew your smile when we were together

So it will never disappear

...

Drawing a new verse for everyone

Our future that nothing can take away

Nothing useless can be found

A new world is starting to move

Open your chest and let it go

Here, let's restore the shine

We will never, ever, never lose

...

[Japanese]

I am drawing new lines into the void

Nobody knows 新しい future

真っ暗闇に染まった

滅びの story

誰もが lonely

宿命論に刃向かう pencil

書き足す ページ

Another end

さぁ pan up pan down

Light up light off

何度だって Re:Re: edit

描きだす new verse 誰にも

奪えない 僕らの未来

無駄なものはひとつも見つからない

動きだす new world

胸の奥 開いて 解き放て

此処で let's get back the shine

一人きりじゃ無力

殻破って go action!

Why don't you fight together

We will, we will never lose

運命論に睨まれたって

書き足す ページ

Happy end

さぁ fade in fade out

Frame in frame out

何度だって Re:Re: edit

描きだす new verse 誰にも

奪えない 僕らの未来

無駄なものはひとつも見つからない

動きだす new world

胸の奥 開いて 解き放て

此処で let's get back thе shine

I drew your smile whеn we were together

二度と消えないように

描きだす new verse 誰にも

奪えない 僕らの未来

無駄なものはひとつも見つからない

動きだす new world

胸の奥 開いて 解き放て

此処で let's get back the shine

We will never ever never ever lose

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
drawing /ˈdrɔː.ɪŋ/ A2	verb - to produce a picture of something using a pencil, pen, etc.
void /vɔɪd/ C1	noun - a large empty space
future /ˈfjuː.tʃər/ A1	noun - a time that is to come
闇 (yami) /jami/ B2	noun - darkness
story /ˈstɔː.ri/ A1	noun - a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader
lonely /ˈloʊn.li/ B1	adjective - sad because one has no friends or company
pencil /ˈpen.səl/ A1	noun - an instrument for writing or drawing, consisting of a thin stick of graphite or a similar substance enclosed in a wooden or metal case
page /peɪdʒ/ A1	noun - one side of a leaf of paper in a book, magazine, newspaper, etc.
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible verb - to give light to; illuminate
verse /vɜːrs/ B2	noun - writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a rhyme
future /ˈfjuː.tʃər/ A1	noun - the time yet to come
world /wɜːld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features
action /ˈæk.ʃən/ A2	noun - the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim
fight /faɪt/ A2	verb - take part in a violent struggle involving physical force or weapons
smile /smaɪl/ A1	noun - a pleased, kind, or amused facial expression verb - to have a pleased, kind, or amused expression on your face
together /təˈɡeð.ər/ A1	adverb - with or in proximity to another person or people
lose /luːz/ A1	verb - to be deprived of something

Key Grammar Structures

• Nobody knows 新しい future

  ➔ Negative indefinite pronoun 'Nobody' + verb

  ➔ "Nobody" indicates no person is involved; used with a verb to show the absence of anyone.

• 書き足す ページ

  ➔ Verb '書き足す' (+ te-form) + noun

  ➔ '書き足す' is a verb meaning 'to add/write more' and is often used with the て-form to connect to nouns or other verbs.

• 動きだす new world

  ➔ Verb '動きだす' (unidirectional inchoative) + noun

  ➔ '動きだす' is an inchoative verb indicating 'to start moving' or 'to initiate action', often used with a noun to describe starting something new.

• We will, we will never lose

  ➔ Future simple tense with emphatic 'will' + negative 'never'

  ➔ 'We will' expresses a firm decision or intention for the future; adding 'never' emphasizes the certainty of not losing.

• 胸の奥 開いて 解き放て

  ➔ Imperative form of '開いて' and '解き放て'

  ➔ Imperative forms of '開いて' (open) and '解き放て' (let loose, release). Used to give commands or encouragement.