now and future <LiSA> Lyrics Analysis
This article is generated by AI based on lyrics content and online information. The viewpoints presented may contain interpretive biases or information errors, so please read critically.
I hope this article provides a different analytical perspective and welcome discussion and corrections.
Core Theme and Message
“now and future” is a profound declaration of self-transformation and a heartfelt tribute to the people who provide the strength to change. Rather than being a standard pop song, LiSA describes this track as her “first love letter” to her fans. It serves as a bridge between her gratitude for their support and her determination to become the person they believe she can be.
The central message revolves around the idea that self-belief is often ignited by the belief of others. When we are paralyzed by doubt or the fear of failure, the unwavering support of a “you” (the listener/fan) becomes the catalyst that allows us to stop lying to ourselves and start moving toward an “impossible” future.
The song title, “now and future,” encapsulates this journey: it acknowledges the “now”—the messy, uncertain, and often painful present—and connects it to the “future” that can only be reached by grasping onto one’s desires and breaking free from a stagnant past.
The creative energy behind the song is palpable. Written by LiSA herself and composed by Tomoya Tabuchi, the song carries a heavy emotional weight. LiSA noted that the demo moved her to “heartbreak,” and the intense, almost animalistic energy of the creators during the recording process (described as the “Tabuchi Dance”) is reflected in the song’s driving, powerful progression.
Lyrics Analysis
Introduction & Verse 1
イメージを明日の向こうに
ずっとずっと描いて 今僕は
手を伸ばすよ
取り戻せない言い訳と
素直になれずに 貫いた
ウソツキ
それでも キミが優しいから
ちくり痛い胸
一つだけ分かったよTranslation
Painting an image beyond tomorrow
I keep on, and on, sketching it
And now, I reach my hand out
With excuses I can never take back
And a stubbornness born from being unable to be honest
I was nothing but a liar
But because you are so kind
It sends a sharp, stinging pain through my chest
And because of that, I've realized just one thingInterpretation:
- Literal Meaning: The narrator is visualizing a future and attempting to reach for it. They admit to being a “liar” (someone who makes excuses and isn’t honest with themselves) and feel a pang of guilt because of the listener’s kindness.
- Implied Meaning: The “liar” refers to the self-deception we use to protect ourselves from reality. The “stinging pain” is the realization that we don’t deserve the kindness being shown to us because we haven’t been true to ourselves.
- Original Features: The use of “Usotsuki” (Liar) is a heavy emotional anchor. In this context, it isn’t about malicious deception, but about the internal struggle of being dishonest about one’s own desires.
- Imagery: The act of “reaching out” (手を伸ばす) symbolizes the transition from passive dreaming to active striving.
Pre-Chorus & Chorus 1
止まらない疑いだって
振り払って 僕だけ
信じ続けてくれるキミを
裏切りたくないから
『変わりたい』声にした今日が
きっときっと 始まりだ、ってさ
僕の運命を ここから
誰かが 後ろ指さして
何度何度 嘲笑っても
僕は迷わないTranslation
Even the doubts that won't stop
I will shake them off, because
I don't want to betray you
The one who keeps believing in me and me alone
The day I finally voiced "I want to change"
Is surely, surely the beginning
Of my destiny, starting right here
Even if someone points a finger at me
And mocks me again and again
I will not lose my wayInterpretation:
- Literal Meaning: The narrator wants to shake off self-doubt specifically so they don’t let down the person who believes in them. They declare that voicing the desire to change marks the start of their new destiny, regardless of public mockery.
- Implied Meaning: The motivation for change isn’t just self-interest; it’s a responsibility toward those who have invested faith in them. This transforms the struggle from a lonely battle into a meaningful mission.
- Rhetorical Devices: The repetition of “kitto kitto” (surely, surely) and “nando nando” (again and again) emphasizes the intensity of both the hope and the external opposition.
- Sentence Characteristics: The phrase “『変わりたい』声にした今日” (Today, where I voiced ‘I want to change’) treats the act of speaking one’s truth as the actual turning point of time.
English Bridge & Verse 2
what's? mistake?
NO! I still have time to change it, myself
all of me lead to now, and future...
誇れないその現実に
臆病な僕が隠れてる
分かるのに
これが望んだ現実、だって
聞き分けが悪い僕に
ずっと言い聞かせたけれど
Ah
本当の望みに気付いたから
Ah
邪魔する心は ほっといて
Let's そう バイバイTranslation
What's? A mistake?
NO! I still have time to change it, myself
All of me leads to now, and the future...
In this reality I cannot take pride in
A cowardly version of myself is hiding
Even though I know it
"This is the reality I wanted,"
I kept telling my stubborn, disobedient self
But...
Ah
Because I've realized my true desire
Ah
I'll leave the voices that obstruct me alone
Let's, yeah, say goodbyeInterpretation:
- Literal Meaning: After questioning if they’ve made a mistake, the narrator realizes they have time to fix things. They admit they’ve been hiding behind a reality they aren’t proud of, lying to themselves that “this is what I wanted.” Now, they are choosing to say goodbye to those self-sabotaging thoughts.
- Implied Meaning: This section depicts the “dark night of the soul”—the moment of admitting that one’s current life is a result of cowardice. The “goodbye” is a rejection of the old, stagnant self.
- Language Features: The English lines act as a psychological breakthrough, breaking the flow of the Japanese lyrics to signify a sudden, sharp shift in mindset.
Chorus 2 & The “Hero” Bridge
『変われない』塞いだ昨日が
全部全部 嘘みたいでさ
違う運命が ここから
ありえない未来とかだって
ぐっとぎゅっと たぐり寄せ
掴んでみせるよ
イメージを明日の向こうに
ずっとずっと描いて 今僕は
僕を信じてみたい
大体のヒトが描く 当たり前みたいなヒーロー
早々に興味を失って hey ララララララ
大胆に思い描く 僕がなりたいヒーロー
堂々と胸はるから 追いかけさせて yes!!Translation
The closed-off yesterday where "I can't change"
All of it, all of it feels like a lie
A different destiny starts from here
Even an "impossible" future
I will pull it close, tight and firm
And show you I can grasp it
Painting an image beyond tomorrow
I keep on, and on, sketching it
And now, I want to try believing in myself
The typical heroes most people imagine
I lose interest in them quite quickly, hey la-la-la-la-la
The bold hero I envision for myself
I'll hold my head high, so please let me chase them, yes!!Interpretation:
- Literal Meaning: The narrator feels that their past stagnation was a lie. They intend to pull even an “impossible” future toward them. They also distinguish between the “standard” hero society expects and the “bold” hero they personally want to become.
- Implied Meaning: True heroism isn’t about being perfect or following a template; it’s about the courage to chase a self-defined ideal.
- Untranslatable/Language Features: The phrase “Gutto gyutto” (ぐっとぎゅっと) is an onomatopoeic intensifier. In Japanese, it conveys a sense of physical force and emotional determination—the sensation of grabbing something tightly with one’s whole being.
- Cultural Context: The critique of the “standard hero” reflects a desire for authenticity over social conformity.
Final Chorus & Outro
『変わりたい』声にした今日が
きっときっと 始まりだ、ってさ
僕の運命を ここから
誰かが 後ろ指さして
何度何度 嘲笑ってもね
『変われない』塞いだ昨日が
全部全部 嘘みたいでさ
違う運命が ここから
ありえない未来とかだって
ぐっとぎゅっと たぐり寄せ
掴んでみせる
キミからもらった“笑顔”を
いつか僕も
誰かにあげれると
信じて
what's? mistake?
NO! I still have time to change it, myself
all of me lead to now, and future... i believeTranslation
The day I finally voiced "I want to change"
Is surely, surely the beginning
Of my destiny, starting right here
Even if someone points a finger at me
And mocks me again and again...
The closed-off yesterday where "I can't change"
All of it, all of it feels like a lie
A different destiny starts from here
Even an "impossible" future
I will pull it close, tight and firm
And show you I can grasp it
The "smile" I received from you
I believe that someday, I too
Will be able to give it
To someone else
What's? A mistake?
NO! I still have time to change it, myself
All of me leads to now, and the future... I believeInterpretation:
- Literal Meaning: The song concludes by reiterating the themes of change and seizing the future. The final emotional beat is the narrator’s wish to pass on the “smile” (happiness/strength) they received from the listener to someone else.
- Implied Meaning: This completes the “love letter” cycle. The relationship between the artist and the fan is not just a one-way street of receiving support; it is a cycle of kindness. The supporter gives a “smile,” and the artist’s goal is to transform that gift into something they can give back to the world.
- Emotional Resonance: The ending moves from the “I” (self-improvement) to the “We” (the cycle of giving), providing a sense of profound purpose and connection.
Narrative Structure and Perspective
- Narrative Technique: The song uses a first-person perspective (“Boku”). In Japanese, “Boku” is often used by males, but in this lyrical context, it creates a sense of vulnerability and an intimate, somewhat humble persona. It allows the listener to step into the narrator’s internal struggle.
- Timeline: The story follows a linear emotional development:
- Past/Present: Regret, self-deception, and being stuck in a “closed-off yesterday.”
- The Turning Point: The moment of voicing the desire to change and realizing the truth.
- Future: The determined pursuit of an “impossible” future and the intention to become a hero.
- Relationship: There is a dual relationship established—the relationship between the Narrator and Self (internal conflict) and the Narrator and “You” (the source of strength).
Emotional Layers and Atmosphere
- Emotional Tone: The song undergoes a dramatic transformation. It begins with melancholy and introspection (regret, being a “liar,” feeling cowardly). As the song progresses, it shifts into defiance (ignoring mockery) and finally reaches an anthemic, empowering climax (the hero section and final chorus).
- Emotional Turning Points:
- The first turning point is the “stinging pain” in the chest—the moment guilt turns into a realization.
- The second is the “Goodbye” to the obstructing heart, where the energy shifts from defense to offense.
- Audience Resonance: The song resonates by validating the feeling of being “not good enough” or “a liar,” then offering a way out through the concept of communal belief.
- Original Language Feel: The Japanese lyrics use a mix of soft, vulnerable verbs and powerful, rhythmic onomatopoeia (“gutto gyutto”), creating a sense of a person who is both deeply sensitive and incredibly strong-willed.
Summary
“now and future” is more than just a song about self-improvement; it is a song about the interconnectedness of human encouragement. LiSA uses her own journey—from a person hiding behind excuses to an artist standing before her fans—to tell a story of transformation. By redefining heroism as a personal, bold pursuit rather than a social standard, and by framing the “smile” of a supporter as a gift to be passed on, the song creates a powerful cycle of hope. It tells the listener that while the past may feel like a series of lies, the “now” provides the absolute opportunity to grab an “impossible” future by the hands.