Hajime Isayama’s “Attack on Titan” has proven to be one of the best-selling manga of all time, and its anime adaptation has proven to be just as popular. The gripping tale is set in a world where humans are forced to live within a city with three walls to protect themselves from enormous man-eating monsters called Titans. The story revolves around Eren Yeager, who seeks to destroy all of the Titans after they decimated his hometown and killed his mother.
“Attack on Titan” has incredible story arcs with unforgettable characters, but a big part of the anime’s success is also due to its soundtrack by Hiroyuki Sawano. His musical career started in 2004, but the show has proven to be one of his crowning achievements.
“It has become one of the most important series in my life,” Sawano said in an interview with Crunchyroll. “And because of the reach and influence ‘Attack on Titan’ has on the international fans, a lot of overseas fans now know about me and my music, so it will continue to occupy a special space in my heart. Initially, I didn’t think that I’d be with this series for ten years, but I’m happy that I got to work with it until the end. And I’m sure I will continue to play the music I composed for this series for years to come.”
Sawano’s music deepens our emotional connection to the characters. One prime example of this is “Call of Silence,” which occurs during episode 10 of Season 2, entitled “Children.” It takes place during a flashback depicting the character Ymir living as a Pure Titan. The song emphasizes the longing for what could have been as Ymir reflects on her life.
On the official soundtrack, the piece features vocalist Gemie singing over sustained strings, piano, and light electronic percussion. Today, we’re checking out Sawano’s own reimagining of the piece, which he recorded with singer SennaRin, bassist Toshino Tanabe, and cellist Harutoshi Ito. The composer himself is behind the piano.
The instrumentation alone sets the tone for the song. Sawano’s delicate touch creates a tender feeling before Ito and SennaRinn bring their own melodic voices to the fold. Tanabe’s bass adds depth as he bows the low strings before switching to pizzicato, introducing a percussive element.
Harmonically, “Call of Silence” has an unresolved feeling built into the chord progression. The original song is in F# minor, although this version is in F minor, presumably to fit SennaRinn’s voice. It doesn’t begin on the tonic chord. In fact, the opening chords (D and E in the original) trick our ears into hearing it like the IV and V chords in the relative major key. Instead of resolving down a fifth to a major chord, it takes another whole step up into the relative minor chord. Without the definitive feeling of a V to I resolution, it keeps an air of suspense.
“Attack on Titan” will go down as one of the best anime ever made, and the soundtrack will be right there with it, thanks to the brilliant mind of Hiroyuki Sawano.
