What songs would you put in a LeaIsa/AkuSai playlist?
Ah, I like this question, lol. Many people know that one of the meanings of Xion’s name is the flower Aster tataricus (紫苑) or “Shion”. According to Japanese floriography, it means “I won’t forget you” or “remembrance”.
Xion’s story was so sad and well-written. I really loved it. She had such a pretty theme song, too.
Call me crazy, but I was really expecting something equally poignant for Lea and Isa’s story, given the way 358/2 days and BBS were written, and considering Axel’s enormous popularity. Wouldn’t they try to make the relationship he had with his childhood best friend, I dunno, pull on your heart strings?
I mean, really. Nothing about the way the story was written made it seem like their friendship was simply going to be used as a plot device to introduce Skuld. KH3 can GTFO of here with that bullshit.
Days is a very emotional game (for me it also has the best music in the series). My opinion of what they they were going for with LeaIsa and Akusai can be gleaned from Saix’s weapon called Queen of the Night, named after a flower that blooms under the full moon. This is what a queen of the night represents.
The Queen of the Night flower has a rich history in Japan, where it is known as the 月下美人 (Gekka Bijin) or “Beautiful Woman under the Moon”. The Queen of the Night cactus blooms but one night a year, from dusk until dawn. And when she blooms, she does so with a beauty and fragrance that she has been saving all year long. In China it is called the tan flower; using its name to refer to a person in that culture means that he or she is enjoying a brief moment of glory, like a flash in the pan.
That’s exactly how I thought of Akusai when I played Days. Axel was longing for the short-lived happiness of his past. Their relationship came, then disappeared just as fast. Realistically speaking, it was dead and gone. But that didn’t stop Axel. To me it was really poetic and beautiful.
So, here’s the songs I would use for their relationship when they were young and happy:
Utada Hikaru - First Love. This is a perfect song for LeaIsa/Akusai. Plus, it’s sung by Utada Hikaru, which makes it really feel like it fits KH.
Elvis - Cant Help Falling in Love. Just feels so nostalgic and lovey dovey.
Vanessa Carlton - Ordinary Day
DJ Sammy - Heaven
Mandy Moore - Cry
Here’s the songs that I would use for 358/2 Days Akusai:
At Dusk I Will Think of You... - The sea-salt ice cream theme from the game. IMO, this is a LeaIsa theme, first and foremost. It fits the “Queen of the Night” theme very well.
BBMak - Ghost of You and Me. This is a really pretty song about being haunted by the memory of a dead relationship. Fits very well.
Dream On - Aersomith
Jackson 5 - I’ll Be There
Goo Goo Dolls - Iris
Jewel - You Were Meant For Me.
Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know
Linkin Park - Numb. A good song for Nobodies.
I Dreamed a Dream - Les Miserables. Epic tragedy. Nomura likes this play. I like it, too.
Do As Infinity - Shinjitsu No Uta. Sad painful song. Opens with a line about the crimson sun. Always reminded me of Axel.
Celine Dion- Beauty and The Beast - The Disney theme for them.
Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Sum 41 - Pieces
Natasha Farrow - Calling to the Night.
Then these would be the songs for the happy ending version of them, like when Lea saves Isa with the power of waking:
Celine Dion - A New Day Has Come. This one fits very well.
Belinda Carlisle - Heaven is a Place on Earth
Backstreet Boys - I’ll Be The One
Mariah Carey - Hero
Flying Without Wings - Westlife
Kokia - Daiji Na Mono Wa Mabuta No Ura
The Fray - How to Save a Life
Soluna - For All Time
John Legend - All of Me
