THE iDOLM@STER (yes, it’s their official name), also known by its shorthand iM@S, is a major mixed-media franchise about idols in Japan by Bandai Namco. Spanning 24 games, four spin-offs, eight anime adaptations, with over 767 and counting songs from the whole series, 282 and more characters in the series, and a bunch of merchandises, this franchise is staying strong with a bazillion of fans (known as “Producers” in iM@S games). One of the spin-offs in the iM@S series that contribute huge successes in the series is THE iDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, which includes 184 fictional idols, with over 200 songs under the Cinderella Girls banner. These 184 idols have distinct, unique personalities that cater wide fans’ preferences. 74 out of 184 idols were voiced, and by smaller scale, 53 out of 74 voiced idols have their own solo songs. What’s more to expect when none of the idols will be discussed right here, other than Miyu Mifune and her image song, Last Kiss?
“…My name is Miyu Mifune. Ah, I’m not upset… …Um, I’m bad at talking to others. Deciding what to say… With me being like this… Are you sure I can stand in front of others?”
Who is Miyu, you ask? Miyu Mifune, a 26-year-old idol singer, is one good kind of a lonely yet beautiful woman. Once an office lady, she met the Producer for the first time on Christmas Eve. Miyu is kind of a shrinking violet, as she is very shy and seems like she doesn’t enjoy being herself that much. One factor that makes her becoming that? Her dog in her childhood died. Even worse, Miyu’s gone with the flow all along, giving her confidence hit new low. Miyu had a crush on the kind-caring Producer so much that she considered him as important to her as her family.
Which leads to this song:
Last Kiss.
Last Kiss is a song performed by Miyu Mifune (Voiced by Sayaka Harada), appearing in THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA MASTER 50, the 50th entry in the Cinderella Master series of albums. Composed and Arranged by Go Sakabe, with lyrics by Shio Watanabe, Last Kiss gives you a ride of what Miyu’s feelings look like: Realizing that her love towards her beloved was doomed from the start, she wanted a “last kiss” of goodbye, something to imply that she wanted a break-up.
If it were possible, I’d want to stay like this, but…
But still, I’m embraced by anxiety
We’ve both realized this love was doomed from the beginning
Taking my words away, this last kiss
But you’ll still say “I love you”, what an unfair person you are
This pre-chorus and the chorus itself tell something. Something that Miyu feels. Miyu wanted to go in separate ways, as this person she loves, she kind of didn’t love him back. It’s unfair that her lover pull out everything that he had to love her, only to be responded by a last kiss of goodbye.
You’re the person who taught me, however clumsy, how to smile
Miyu’s time with the beloved includes this one: shaping her into a woman with confidence and happiness, but then..
With a “see you” and a smile, I swallow my feelings for you
It was a trick of fate that the two of us met
Signaling the end, this last kiss
I had decided on “farewell” but once again I couldn’t say it
… She still could not say a single “goodbye” to him. In the end, what this lover taught Miyu was obsolete.
My final selfish wish is this memory we share
Their memories they share. All of these memories, hand-holding feelings, and a bunch of kisses, will gone when Miyu left him.
Fate is always cruel, we can’t go back to how we were
This is the consequence of how fate divides love. Miyu could not go back redoing all of these things in the past with her lover. Again, with much anxiety coming back to her, Miyu’s feelings towards this person is just unmatching, because she goes with the flow as always. It’s implied that all of these lyrics came from Miyu’s perspective, sharing her past with that person before her first encounter with the Producer.
When I listened to this song for the first time, the instrument choices were pretty cool, giving modern electronic sound with a twist of ballad piano backing, something that gives you mood of “where is love when it’s about to fade away?” feeling. Sayaka Harada’s deliverance on her singing (and voice acting) role as Miyu Mifune also helps. Her soothing and soft voice set up the emotions of Miyu’s requited love. The lyrics are easy to understand, and can lead up to your interpretation about heartbreak and such. Most importantly, the lyrics are pretty sure one hundred percent relatable to listeners who were experiencing separation. I’m not sure about telling this (if you are reading this, then I’m really sorry), but this song reminds me on how messy my relationship with my ex-girlfriend was. The first part of this song feels alright, especially on the first chorus; but when it comes to the second part, it feels a bit weaker, but Sayaka as Miyu still brings her powerful yet soft singing voice. The bridge part caught me another good attention, like good lord I’m liking the way Miyu told her last feelings, and that’s how consistent the storytelling is in the lyrics.
Honestly, I feel like Miyu’s image song takes a longer view on dealing with heartbreak and separation, just like what Miyu experienced in her past, and it gives a relatable story to us. Last Kiss is definitely one of my favorite songs in the Cinderella Master series. Relatable lyrics, good combination of electronic music and simple piano tunes, I believe this song is the one I want to listen again and again, thinking about how love does not last long because of uncertainty and anxiety. Miyu captures a perfect example of love that is broken by her anxiety, giving a last kiss before saying goodbye to her lover.