If you’ve ever been captivated by the emotional depth of anime, then you’ll know how much an ending theme can resonate long after the episode has ended. “Fighter” by Bump of Chicken, the ending theme for March Comes in Like a Lion, is one such song that beautifully encapsulates the themes of struggle, resilience, and hope that are central to the anime.
This powerful track serves as a reflection of Rei Kiriyama’s journey, a young professional Shogi player burdened by the weight of his past and the challenges of his present. Rei’s life has been marked by loss and loneliness, yet through his relationships with the Kawamoto sisters and other characters, he begins to find a path toward healing. “Fighter” echoes this transformation, capturing the raw emotions of a character fighting to protect what’s important and find a place where he truly belongs.
The ending theme, “Fighter,” is a song that resonates deeply with the emotions and experiences of anyone who has faced adversity. Its melody, coupled with the heartfelt lyrics, creates an atmosphere of introspection and determination. Bump of Chicken, a beloved Japanese rock band, delivers this song with a sincerity that makes it one of the most memorable endings in anime. Even if you don’t speak Japanese, the emotion in the song transcends language, making it a piece that stays with you long after the credits roll.
- Lyricist: Bump of Chicken
- Composer: Bump of Chicken
- Released: November 2014
The Song:
The English Translated Lyrics to Fighter by band Bump of Chicken:
By the time I noticed, I was already amidst the storm,
Having forgotten the way home.
Close to my heart, I held my empty briefcase
Filled with nothing but the scent of memories,
Amid wind and rain that steal the time away,
I became unable to see… unable to hear…
My body alone moved automatically,
Protecting with all its might, this heart on the verge of tears.
If I were to stop, it seems everything might just disappear…
So in tandem with the pain, I hide my heart.
If I were to turn back, it seems I might just get sucked in…
So I keep this moment on repeat—with cowardly claws and fangs.
My entire life force is screaming now
For the sole purpose of remaining here.
The memories given to me by these tears
Become a strength that connects my breaths.
After losing any number of things,
Something remained powerfully—one single thing remained.
Those voices, like shooting stars,
Flew one by one into my ears before glittering bright.
Assembling like a school of fish in my chilled heart,
A spot of sunlight was formed.
Realising that it was expanding into an aurora,
My eyes suddenly met with a bug down at my feet, and I smiled-
I’d encountered footsteps that sound different from my own;
It was that voice that showed me everything.
I don’t know how to interact with things normally,
But when I was at a loss, that hand reached out to me;
Now, no matter how many dark nights I may pass through,
This endless fever will continue to pulse!
Just by the fact you exist,
Everything alive shines so bright.
Within this frozen heart,
Your heartbeat rings aloud, lighting a fire.
Even if I can never understand it,
I’ll be by your side—closer than anyone!
My empty briefcase is still just as empty,
Picking up more of that beloved weight.
But the heavier it got, I became scared.
I held it tight so it wouldn’t get crushed!
I’ll take hold of that hand that took hold of mine.
So rip through the darkness, cowardly claws and fangs!
My entire life force is screaming now
For the sole purpose of remaining here.
In order to properly protect you,
I was born into this body that was made for me.
Words beyond tears
Are communicated by that heartbeat, becoming my courage.
Just by the fact you exist,
Ahh, I still feel so warm!
After losing any number of things,
Something remained powerfully—one single thing remained.
I’ll never let us be separated. You’ll always be by my side:
Deep within me – closer than anyone.
Lyrics pulled from March Comes In Like a Lion Wiki
What do you think of the song FIGHTER?
I highly recommend giving March Comes in Like a Lion a chance if you haven’t watched it yet. It’s a wonderful Slice-of-Life and coming of age anime that will touch your heart and inspire.
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