KOKIA - KARMA (Phantom ~ Requiem for the Phantom OP Single)

RELEASED: 04.22.2009
LABEL: Sony Music
TRACKLIST:
1. KARMA
2. Insonnia
3. KARMA (instrumental)
4. Insonnia (instrumental)


KARMA is the 17th album to date by prolific Japanese singer-songwriter, Kokia. It is also the first opening single for the new Bee Train anime, Phantom ~ Requiem for the Phantom.

The anime follows the life of two assassins. One, a young girl who goes by the name of "Ein" but is nicknamed "Phantom" because of her skills as a top assassin for the shady organization, known only as Inferno. The other one is "Zwei," who started out as a lone Japanese tourist witnessing the Phantom's crimes. As a result, Inferno aimed to eliminate him. But because of his strong instinct for survival, a few members of the group decided to wipe his memories instead and train him as an assassin like Ein.

BUY:

KOKIA - KARMA @ Play-Asia
KOKIA- KARMA @ Yes Asia

The studio Bee Train is well-known for popularizing the 'girls-with-guns' genre (Noir, Madlax, El Cazador de la Bruja). In all of those shows, the music -- classical, chamber and slightly operatic -- played a significant role. It's the same for Phantom, only this time, Kokia, who is known for her being able to hold long-tone opera notes anyway, does the hypnotic, somnambuling opening theme. The B-side to the single, Insonnia (Italian for "insomnia"), echoes the operatic flavors of KARMA but plays like a lucid dream.

MORE INFO:

OFFICIAL (JPN)
KOKIA @ Wikipedia
Phantom ~ Requiem for the Phantom @ Wikipedia