raising flags ep

BLOG

Just so you know, the Japanese word under the KD SEKAI name in their logo means “Production”. As this website’s homepage says, “Dive in the world where you can experience anime life in the real world.” It is indeed the goal of the “KD SEKAI Production”. From writing anime stories to music. The whole vision is to invite people on an anime adventure with KD. Year 2021 is when KD started releasing their first single “Save Me (Acoustic)”. This is because the Chapter 8 of “Kapten Destroya” has this performance and both the chapter and song got released the same day. In fact, this is not the very first song that was written, it was “Raising Flags (Battle Song)”, but why did they release the second written song (Save Me) first instead of  “Raising Flags''? It is because KD was scared that someone may steal the song, and the song was badly needed for this chapter. Anyways, why are we talking about this? What’s the connection with the EP?

The “Raising Flags EP” is the very first album that got released, which means KD’s goal in the music industry is to introduce themselves. This EP is not just about the “Introduction Era”, but this is something that KD has to do hands-on on everything (recording, mixing and mastering, playing instrumentals, writing lyrics, singing it and producing it. KD is still learning how to produce good music, but why release originals when KD can wait later? It is because their past music covers on Youtube were also produced by them, so the way KD wants to introduce their music to people is through showing their improvements in producing music. KD can hire people to do it, but “KD SEKAI Production” wouldn’t make sense if it wasn’t originally done by KD, especially since we are talking about the “Introduction Era” here. Just like some anime leading characters started as nothing to becoming someone more powerful.

The original plan was to release Raising Flags as a single, but because KD had homework of writing a song about their persona as an artist, KD wrote “My Reality”. It was a perfect opportunity because it gave KD more inspiration and clearer goals as an artist. Since this song is perfect for the “Introduction Era” and “Raising Flags” has to be released as soon as possible, KD decided to release both songs in one go. In addition to that is to make the keyboard version of “Save Me”, which is the “Emotional Version”. Since this song is sad and seems super down for the singer’s perspective, “Candle Life” was written. This song was made to answer or continue the song “Save Me”. Overall all, these songs will be used as a soundtrack of the  “Kapten Destroya” book, that’s why the track numbers 2 and 3 (Save Me and Candle Life) seem like a story or kind of deep.

(My Reality) The story of the song is about a weeb that seems really weak in front of most people. What he only knows is watching anime and reading manga. Those things are what comforts this person. Weebs are also human and they have dreams as well, but at some point in our lives, it feels like it is hard to reach those dreams, especially when people are looking down on us. What makes anime and manga amazing and inspiring is the way it teaches people to stand up, fight, and not give up in our lives despite the hardships we are facing. It also contains lessons that could help us understand each other's perspective. The weeb in the song is basically facing hard struggles in life while people are looking down on him, there will be battles where he needs to face them head on later on in life, but imagining that you are your favorite character or your own anime character in your own life, makes us feel stronger like we have powers or strength to overcome the battles, and that’s the point of the song. Not to run from reality, but to look at ourselves as stronger people than we could be if we set our minds to it.

(Save Me) is talking about how KD felt during Chapter 8 of the book. The feeling of sadness and not being able to find a way out. Save Me (Emotional Version) is basically a slower version accompanied by not only acoustic guitar, but keyboards, bass, and some effects. The song might seem long, but the lyrics are shorter than the first single that was released. It is more focused on instrumentals that could accompany someone’s sadness. 

(Candle Life) is a song that gives an answer to the song Save Me. It talks about the life of a candle. The candle’s purpose is to give light to the darkness, and also could give warmth to people. The Candle light could go away from any strong wind, that signifies struggles in life. A candle signifies a person. It loses its life as it lights up but at the same time, it gives benefits to others, while that is it’s own mission or purpose in life. The song’s message basically talks about not giving up no matter how hard life could be. Keep standing up every time we fall down. The instrumentals started as slow then later on, drums entered the track and electric guitar that made the song heavier and gave the sound of hope. The chord progression is the same exact one as what was used in “Save Me (Emotional Version)”. The ending of the song has a mix of the “Save Me” chorus parts but the lyrics were tweaked with something more positive that could relate to the “Candle Life” song. The lead part of “Save Me (Emotional Version)” was also used in the ending of the “Candle Life” song as the two songs were overlapping. The reason for doing this is to give listeners goosebumps about the connection of the two songs and to tell people that we will move forward no matter how hard the things that we face are, and that everything will be alright. 

(Raising Flags: Battle Song) on the other hand is a song initially written for the community of Weebs of TeeHuh, which is currently their national anthem. Since Kapten Destroya was inspired from KD's real life story in anime fiction and also talks about the community of Weebs of TeeHuh, the song would be used as well as in the soundtrack of the book. Possibly an opening for the animation (when it comes out) or ending song. The song's meaning is about a battle that signifies the hardship of the community that they faced or will face or personal battles that each member has that could prevent them from being connected and being active in the community. It is telling people to not give up and that they are all in this together to face these battles together  until the end. Friend’s forever or we will stay as family until the end is the meaning. As for the production, the sound gives you the hype that gives positivity and energy, a symboint sound that would give the song a marching band vibe. The vibe was inspired as well from anime openings like “Strike Back” by BACK-ON from the “Fairy Tail” anime. There is also a rap part at the end of the song that tells people that we are still at war, but we are here to help each other out. Overall, the goal at the end of the song is to raise the flag of the family or community that signifies the victory. 

Combining all these tracks in one EP will give you an introduction for the first season of KD’s future complete album. The goal of this initial EP is to encourage everyone to never give up and we are all on this together as one family. No matter what you are facing, you don’t have to face it alone. It also signifies that the community of Weebs of TeeHuh will rise every time that they fall.

The song lyrics of the EP will be out in Genius, which will give more details to the meaning of each song. It will be released as well on the Ultimate Guitar website to let people know which chords we used for the song.

This EP will be the “Introduction Era: Part I”, the “Introduction Era: Part II” will be released later on when the full album is finally complete, and that is when the book of “Kapten Destroya” is finished and finalized. Which means, while we are waiting for it, a new single will come out this year as anime covers will be made, and a completely different album will be released next year.