Let's study Japanese with the ending theme "Shirushi" from the second season of Sword Art Online. It's a song that matches the emotional story.
A Guide to the Japanese Anime Song "Shirushi" from "Sword Art Online"
"Sword Art Online" is a light novel series written by Reki Kawahara, with illustrations by abec. The story is set in the world's first VRMMORPG, "Sword Art Online" (SAO), where approximately 10,000 players find themselves trapped in a fully immersive virtual world.
The game's developer and genius quantum physicist, Akihiko Kayaba, reveals that players cannot log out voluntarily, the only way to escape is to clear the game by defeating the boss on the 100th floor of the floating castle "Aincrad," and if a player dies in the game, they die in real life.
"Shirushi" was used as the ending theme for the Mother's Rosario arc in the second season of the anime.
The Japanese Lyrics of "Shirushi" from "Sword Art Online"
街明かり照らした 賑やかな笑い声と 路地裏の足跡 伝えたい想いは どれだけ届いたんだろう いつも振り向いて確かめる
Machiakari terashita Nigiyaka na waraigoe to Rojiura no ashiato Tsutaetai omoi wa Dore dake todoitan darou Itsumo furimuite tashikameru
いつだって迷わず キミはきっとどんなボクも 追いかけてくれるから
Itsudatte mayowazu Kimi wa kitto donna boku mo Oikakete kureru kara
じっと見つめた キミの瞳に 映ったボクが生きたシルシ 何度も途切れそうな鼓動 強く強く鳴らした 今日を越えてみたいんだ
Jitto mitsumeta Kimi no hitomi ni Utsutta boku ga ikita shirushi Nando mo togiresou na kodou Tsuyoku tsuyoku narashita Kyou o koetemitai nda
手にした幸せを 失うことを恐れて 立ち止まっているより 一つ一つ大きな 出来るだけ多くの 笑顔咲かせようと たくらむ
Te ni shita shiawase o Ushinau koto o osorete Tachidomatte iru yori Hitotsu hitotsu ooki na Dekiru dake ooku no Egao sakaseyou to takuramu
思い出す ボクらの 通り過ぎた日々が いつも輝いて見える様に
Omoidasu bokura no Toorisugita hibi ga Itsumo kagayaite mieru you ni
ぎゅっと握った キミの温もりで 感じた ボクら繋いだ証 キミと今同じ速さで あの日描いた未来を 歩いている
Gyutto nigitta Kimi no nukumori de Kanjita Bokura tsunaida akashi Kimi to ima Onaji hayasa de ano hi egaita mirai o aruite iru
いくつ願い叶えても キミと過ごしたい 新しい明日をすぐに 次々にボクは きっとまた願ってしまうから
Ikutsu negai kanaete mo Kimi to sugoshitai Atarashii ashita o sugu ni Tsugitsugi ni boku wa Kitto mata negatte shimau kara
流れてく時間は容赦無く いつかボクらをさらってくから 瞬きした一瞬の隙に キミの見せる全てを見落とさないように
Nagareteku jikan wa yōsha naku Itsuka bokura o saratteku kara Matataki shita isshun no sukima ni Kimi no miseru subete o miotosanai yō ni
じっと見つめた キミの瞳に映った ボクが生きたシルシ 何度も途切れそうな鼓動 強く強く鳴らした 今日を越えていけなくても キミと生きた今日をボクは忘れない
Jitto mitsumeta Kimi no hitomi ni utsutta Boku ga ikita shirusi Nandomo togiresō na kodō Tsuyoku tsuyoku naita kyo o koeteyukitai nda
The English Translation of "Shirushi" from "Sword Art Online"
The illuminated city lights, lively laughter, and the footsteps in the alleyways. I wonder how much of my feelings I've conveyed. I always turn around to make sure.
Without hesitation, you'll surely chase after me, no matter who I am.
Gazing into your eyes, I saw the silhouette of the life I've lived, the heartbeat that seemed to falter many times. I want to surpass today and see what lies beyond.
Fearing to lose the happiness I hold, rather than standing still, I contemplate planting as many smiles as possible, one by one.
Remembering the days we passed together, they always seem to shine.
With your warmth tightly held, I felt the proof of our connection. You and I are now walking at the same pace, towards the future we envisioned that day.
No matter how many wishes come true, I still want to spend time with you and wish for a new tomorrow immediately, one after another.
Time flowing mercilessly will eventually carry us away. In the blink of an eye, I don't want to overlook anything you show.
Gazing into your eyes, I saw the silhouette of the life I've lived, the heartbeat that seemed to falter many times. Even if I can't surpass today, I won't forget the today I lived with you.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Learning Japanese N4 and N3 Vocabulary with "Shirushi" from "Sword Art Online"
0:20~
街明かり照らした 賑やかな笑い声と 路地裏の足跡 伝えたい想いは どれだけ届いたんだろう いつも振り向いて確かめる
The illuminated city lights, lively laughter, and the footsteps in the alleyways. I wonder how much of my feelings I've conveyed. I always turn around to make sure.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 街 | まち | machi | town, city | noun |
| 明かり | あかり | akari | light | noun |
| 照らす | てらす | terasu | to illuminate, to light up | 1 verb |
| 賑やか | にぎやか | nigiyaka | bustling, lively | na-adj |
| 路地 | ろじ | roji | alley | noun |
| 裏 | うら | ura | back, reverse side | noun |
| 足跡 | あしあと | ashiato | footprints | noun |
| 振り向く | ふりむく | furimuku | to turn around, to look back | 1 verb |
| 確かめる | たしかめる | tashikameru | to confirm, to verify | 2 verb |
Related Word to 裏
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 裏 | うら | ura | back, reverse side | noun |
| 表 | おもて | omote | front, surface | noun |
0:46~
いつだって迷わず キミはきっとどんなボクも 追いかけてくれるから
Without hesitation, you'll surely chase after me, no matter who I am.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 迷う | まよう | mayou | to lose one's way, to be lost | 1 verb |
| 追いかける | おいかける | oikakeru | to chase, to pursue | 2 verb |
1:00~
じっと見つめた キミの瞳に 映ったボクが生きたシルシ 何度も途切れそうな鼓動 強く強く鳴らした 今日を越えてみたいんだ
Gazing into your eyes, I saw the silhouette of the life I've lived, the heartbeat that seemed to falter many times. I want to surpass today and see what lies beyond.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 見つめる | みつめる | mitsumeru | to gaze at, to stare at | 2 verb |
| 瞳 | ひとみ | hitomi | pupil, eye | noun |
| 映る | うつる | utsuru | to be reflected, to be projected | 1 verb |
| 鼓動 | こどう | kodou | heartbeat, pulse | noun |
| 越える | こえる | koeru | to exceed, to surpass | 2 verb |
Related Word to 映る
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 映る | うつる | utsuru | to be reflected, to be projected | 1 verb |
| 移る | うつる | utsuru | to move, to shift | 1 verb |
| 写す | うつす | utsusu | to photograph, to copy | 1 verb |
1:40~
手にした幸せを 失うことを恐れて 立ち止まっているより 一つ一つ大きな 出来るだけ多くの 笑顔咲かせようと たくらむ
Fearing to lose the happiness I hold, rather than standing still, I contemplate planting as many smiles as possible, one by one.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 幸せ | しあわせ | shiawase | happiness, joy | noun |
| 失う | うしなう | ushinau | to lose, to part with | 1 verb |
| 恐れる | おそれる | osoreru | to fear, to be afraid of | 2 verb |
| 笑顔 | えがお | egao | smile | noun |
Related Word to 幸せ
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 幸せ | しあわせ | shiawase | happiness, joy | noun |
| 幸福 | こうふく | koufuku | happiness, well-being | noun |
| 不幸 | ふこう | fukou | unhappiness, misfortune | noun |
2:07~
思い出す ボクらの 通り過ぎた日々が いつも輝いて見える様に
Remembering the days we passed together, they always seem to shine.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 思い出す | おもいだす | omoidasu | to recall, to remember | 1 verb |
| 輝く | かがやく | kagayaku | to shine, to sparkle | 1 verb |
2:20~
ぎゅっと握った キミの温もりで 感じた ボクら繋いだ証 キミと今同じ速さで あの日描いた未来を 歩いている
With your warmth tightly held, I felt the proof of our connection. You and I are now walking at the same pace, towards the future we envisioned that day.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 握る | にぎる | nigiru | to grasp, to hold | 1 verb |
| ぬくもり | ぬくもり | nukumori | warmth | noun |
| 感じる | かんじる | kanjiru | to feel, to sense | 2 verb |
| つなぐ | つなぐ | tsunagu | to connect, to link | 1 verb |
| 証 | あかし | akashi | evidence, proof | noun |
| 未来 | みらい | mirai | future | noun |
Related Word to 証
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 証 | あかし | akashi | evidence, proof | noun |
| 証拠 | しょうこ | shouko | evidence | noun |
2:48~
いくつ願い叶えても キミと過ごしたい 新しい明日をすぐに 次々にボクは きっとまた願ってしまうから
No matter how many wishes come true, I still want to spend time with you and wish for a new tomorrow immediately, one after another.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 叶える | かなえる | kanaeru | to fulfill, to grant (a wish) | 2 verb |
| 過ごす | すごす | sugosu | to spend (time) | 1 verb |
3:20~
流れてく時間は容赦無く いつかボクらをさらってくから 瞬きした一瞬の隙に キミの見せる全てを見落とさないように
Time flowing mercilessly will eventually carry us away. In the blink of an eye, I don't want to overlook anything you show.
| vocabulary | hiragana | pronunciation | meaning | POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 一瞬 | いっしゅん | isshun | moment, an instant | noun |
| 見落とす | みおとす | miotosu | to overlook, to miss | 1 verb |