L'Arc~en~Ciel ラルク アン シエル

Aside from Yui, whom I featured as one of the deadliest female recording artist of Japan, L'Arc~en~Ciel is second from the list. Compare to Yui, who is a single recording artist, L'Arc~en~Ciel is a band. My first encounter of their song is from the popular classic anime Rurouni Kenshin or what other popularly known as Samaurai X. This anime was first aired in the Philippines in Channel 23 during Satrudays at 7pm. Who does not know Battousai? eh? :)

Here's what I got from Wikipedia.com:

L'Arc-en-Ciel (ラルク アン シエル Raruku an Shieru^?, "The Rainbow" in French), usually stylized as "L'Arc~en~Ciel", is a Japanese rock band that formed in 1991. The group has sold over 13 million albums, 16 million singles, and millions of other units, including videos.^[1] They were ranked at number 58 on a list of Top 100 Japanese pop musicians, provided by HMV Japan in 2003, and are among the most influential artists in the Japanese music scene.^[2]

Hmmm.. pretty interesting band eh? They sold 13 million albums, what the ***!! lol!


Their band became very controversial when their former drummer Sakura was arrested for illegal possesion of drugs. This had proved to be one of the bands downfall. However, later on, with the help of each members including Hyde, the vocalist, they were able to regain the scene and make a return in the music industry.


Okay enough of their biography, let's look at some of their songs and their contribution to Japanese anime.

• The Fourth Avenue Cafe ~ 4th ending theme of "Rurouni Kenshin"
• Niji ~ ending theme of "Rurouni Kenshin the movie"
• Spirit Dreams Inside ~ closing theme of "Final Fantasy: the spirits within"
• Ready, Steady, Go! ~ opening song of "Full Metal Alchemist"
• Link ~ opening song of "Full Metal Alchemist: Movie"
• Lost Heaven ~ Closing theme of "Full Metal Alchemist: Movie"
• Shine ~ opening theme of "Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit"
• Drink it Down ~ opening theme of Devil May Cry 4 game
• Driver's High ~ opening theme of "Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)"
• Daybreak's Bell ~ opening theme of "Gundam 00"

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References:

Pictures courtesy of google search engine

Facts courtesy of wikepedia.com