There’s nothing like a popular soon-to-air anime or J-drama featuring one of your songs as its theme to help rack up a number 1 hit on the Oricon charts; something Crystal Kay would realize full well with her single “Konna ni chikaku de…”, which helped her album All yours become her first ever album to debut at number 1.

“Konna ni chikaku de…” acted as the ending theme for the anime adaptation of the popular manga Nodame cantabile. It was a unanimous fave with Crystal Kay fans, as it took Crystal’s signature style and notched it up a couple of levels with a catchier hook, stronger vocals and live orchestrations. As a Crystal Kay fan, I was over the moon when I first heard this song. It was perfect in my eyes (and to my ears). I played it non-stop.

Crystal’s number 1 album All yours also featured the song “Kitto eien ni” which acted as the theme song to the live action adaptation of the manage Boku wa imōto ni koi o suru. And her next 2 album releases featured themes to full length animations of Pokémon and Kimba: the while lion respectively. Way to rack up the anime theme credentials!

Listen: Konna ni chikaku de…

Performed by Crystal Kay
© 2007 Epic records, Sony BMG music entertainment Japan

I liked the song so much, that I decided to give the Nodame cantabile anime a chance. I never finished watching the anime, but started watching the live action adaptation and became addicted to it like crack. (I also developed a thing for Juri Ueno). I loved the first series, but hated the 2 super long special episodes which aired afterwards. There’s only so much “Gyabo!” and “Chiaki senpai” and will they, won’t they I can take. So I can’t say I’m looking forward to the 2 films.