Ao no Sumika (Where Our Blue is) - Jujutsu Kaisen S2 OP1 [Piano] / Tatsuya Kitani

This is my piano arrangement of Ao no Sumika - the first OP theme of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 by Tatsuya Kitani. It’s definitely one of my favorite Anime OP songs in 2023 because I simply love how “blue” the song is: The sudden quiet dynamics in the intro 0:04, the endless calm atmosphere in the verse 0:10, the subtle “school bells” echoing in the bridge 1:53. It’s like the music is inviting us to dive into a clear blue summer sky and I tried to capture the “blue” atmosphere in the piano as much as possible.
① Allowing the piano to “breathe”
I included many horizontal movements in the piano to give the piano a vast and open texture, mirroring the “blue” atmosphere of the original song. For example, in the first verse 0:10 the left hand is playing a subtle counter melody without being too rhythmic. And in the 2nd verse 1:28, the right hand is playing an ornamentation in a very high range without interfering with the main melody too much.
② The true MVP of the powerful chorus melody
The unique left-hand pattern played an important role in the chorus 0:48. I wanted to emphasize the syncopation of the drums as much as possible and as a result I used precise pedaling to give the left hand a short moment of pause before each syncopation. There is always a lot of trial and error involved to find the best pattern for the left hand. But once I can “hear” the original song with the left hand alone, it’s a good accompaniment.
③ Finale: From Blue to Purple
Since the atmosphere of the song is “blue”, I let the piano soar into the blue sky in 3:13 by playing a seemingly endless scale which goes higher and higher. It ends with an “open” chord Gbmaj7 (IV) in 3:20, which is quite rare for my arrangement because I usually end with a Tonic chord (I). But in this case, the “open” chord is perfect to make the arrangement sound “infinite”. Which means, the arrangement has finally reached new limitless state - Hollow Technique: Purple.
Last but not least, have you noticed the genius sound direction in episode 5? The “applause” sound has been haunting Geto for a long time after his failed mission and I love how they overlapped the sound of the showers and the rain drops with the sound of applause in certain scenes. It’s an excellent depiction of Geto's deteriorating mental state by using that cursed “applause” sound. I hope we can look forward for more of these creative sound direction in future Jujutsu Kaisen episodes!
Alright, that would be everything for today. In every new upload I try to explain my arranging philosophy a little bit and I hope other pianist might find it helpful to create their own arrangement.
See you next time again!
Animenz
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Sheet music download link:
mymusic.st/animenzzz/139346
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Original Song: Ao no Sumika (Where Our Blue is)
Anime: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2
Published by: Sony Music Labels Inc. (2023)
Composed by: Tatsuya Kitani
Performed by: Tatsuya Kitani
Piano arrangement by Animenz
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Twitter:
/ animenzzz
Instagram:
/ animenz_official
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Official Website:
www.animenzpiano.com/
Animenz Sheet Music Book
animenz-shop.com/
Digital Sheet Music:
www.mymusicsheet.com/animenzzz/
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#jujutsukaisen #aonosumika #jjk

[@Animenzzz]

🎶IMA DE MO - AO GA SUN-DEI-RU 🎶 I am really addicted to this song. It's just so good, haha Also, I cannot get Toji Fushiguro's voice out of my head (you know which video on YT I am talking about 😂)

[@Cyclically]

Toji about to start singing with this one 🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥

[@MilAS829]

Thank you animenz

[@PlayByEarPianist]

The addiction is real… 😅😂

[@nazrael8826]

@@Cyclically We're dodging child support with this one 🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥

[@AlansPiano]

🔵🔵🔵

[@nazrael8826]

I can't listen to this song without hearing Toji singing it...

[@Miyamoto_345]

Ok

[@_FrozenPotato_]

literally watched that video yesterday

[@kimjongun9311]

It’s the same for me when it comes to Yoru Ni Kakeru. I will always hear John Cena when I listen to it.

[@yesusjoestar4333]

...while beating the shit out of everyone

[@Animenzzz]

I feel you. That video is just too cursed and too awesome

[@user-cy8yr2ty4r]

Bro has six eyes to play the piano efficiently

[@Real_Cotton]

This song is a love letter from Satoru Gojo to Suguru Geto. May nothing ever ruin their friendship.

[@Animenzzz]

100% agree with that. The lyrics is essentially a love letter. Especially the "Sayonara" in 2:32 - so heartbreaking...

[@sirbeethoven]

@@Animenzzzyo aminenz send me a piano plz

[@a.kzestos2085]

​@@sirbeethoven why would he

[@qhavity]

the bromance is real

[@sirbeethoven]

@@a.kzestos2085because i asked nicely

[@kartheesh6913]

This man NEEDS to make a video about how he arranges these pieces cuz gawd dayum they're so precise.

[@boriskuang]

Dayum right

[@connorpen]

I remember years ago he used to have a blog or something where he posted at least once about how he arranges pieces. Can’t find it anymore. But yeah if he published a book about it I would buy that shit at light speed

[@kartheesh6913]

@@connorpen oooo i might try to find that blogpost, ive really been trying to play by js hearing and i cant even seem to start

[@The_Emperor823]

@@kartheesh6913 I’ve tried playing by ear and only got one note right

[@kartheesh6913]

most relatable feeling@@The_Emperor823

[@Kataang101]

God his arrangements are always the most true-to-original and fullest sounding of all the youtube arrangers

[@glotchh]

YOOOO HES ACTUALLY DOING IT the chorus of this song goes so unfathomably hard that i've always wanted animenz to arrange this song, and here it is!!

[@protoxy1152]

形容し難いけど、この曲は日本の夏、青春、そしてどこか切なさが混合してる。聞くだけで自分にとって一番好きだった頃の夏に戻れる神曲

[@user-pe6un6bk1n]

適当言ってんじゃねぇよ

[@protoxy1152]

@@user-pe6un6bk1n はい

[@claro4938]

@@user-pe6un6bk1n 辛辣すぎｗｗｗｗｗｗ

[@kaydeetran6613]

I never noticed 1:53 mirrored school bells! You are so creative Animenz!!!!!

[@erckupazo]

Hidden Inventory Arc has been great. I love how Gojo's backstory was handled.

[@_syzygy_]

Honestly Hidden Inventory is by far my favorite part of S2. The Shibuya arc has been boring to me for months now, too many fights in a row and the animation is too irregular for my taste (MAPPA'S fault for exploiting their animators).

[@jerikhowijaya8844]

Gojo and Geto

[@The_Emperor823]

@@_syzygy_ I feel bad for the “MAPPA slaves” as they’re called (Shibuya was pretty fun in my opinion I was waiting for Sukuna vs Mahoraga for a while)

[@xEcuador1]

@@_syzygy_bait used to be believable 😂

[@_syzygy_]

@@xEcuador1 yeah, people out there having different tastes than yours is unbelievable bro i agree

[@namisalaminguyen984]

WE KILLING OUR BEST FRIEND WITH THIS ONE 🗣🗣🗣💯💯💯🔥🔥

[@erumu7843]

大人の五条先生が抱き続ける大切な思い出を、人知れず偲び曇らないように磨き続けているような演奏で、泣きそうになります。ありがとうございます……

[@FormP]

声が聞こえてくる。 本当に貴方のピアノは唯一無二

[@user-he6yk7sl4k]

アレンジ丁寧すぎて大好きです… 紅白の前にピアノで聴けて嬉しいな

[@AndySG7]

You really captured the vibe of the OG nicely with this one! Just the first 10 seconds alone are already so PERFECTLY done, I can't get enough of it! JJK season 2 has been one of the biggest surprises for me this year. Like , I knew the manga readers had been hyping it up but I didn't expect it to be _THIS_ peak!

[@aroei9103]

The thought and care with which you make these is truly something special. It‘s always a delight to read your process in the video description. Keep up the phenomenal work!

[@Diaazp]

the piano cover is just too perfect man, your talent is so beautiful

[@user-im9ls6qc2v]

この方のアレンジ好きすぎて何回も聴いてる😊

[@jziumo]

I like the repeated arpeggio at the end (3:17). I think it just represents the scene at the end of Ep5, when Gojo woke up from the long dream (his memories of the past)

[@LeSxree1376]

This song is so beautiful, I remember hearing it for the first time and just being in absolute awe. It sounds so happy, so carefree... And that's what hidden inventory arc is about isn't it? How things used to be so carefree before everything went wrong. They truly had me fooled with this beautiful intro song. You did an amazing job with this!! Thank you for this beautiful version 💖

[@wisewikani-Penny]

今まで聞いた青のすみかのピアノ演奏の中で1番素晴らしい、、！！泣きそうになった😢😭大好きです😍😘

[@yoshi360360]

This is my preferred OP of the two for the season... the song and visuals just captures the flashback arc so well.

[@user-ot2tv3wz4q]

この曲を貴方の演奏で聴きたかった！ありがとうございます！たくさん聴きます🎧

[@nateyourgamer5559]

I just realized how good this is on piano

[@taru5156]

Satoru & Suguru's blue spring always living rent free in our hearts :") Thank you for the beautiful cover!

[@zengarang]

Another banger in the books! Glad to hear another cover from you so soon 😊 I've yet to watch JJK but i can definitely feel the raw energy and funk that this OP (and of course the OG season 1 ) convey.

[@fahrenheit2101]

Nice! Honestly SPECIALZ deserves a cover too, but I love both OPs so this is more than enough. (Also SPECIALZ would probably be kinda tough)

[@_FrozenPotato_]

lol he just said that was his next cover, lucky

[@she1549]

Can't wait for that!!!!! It would be really SPECIAL!!!

[@Spydrco]

@@_FrozenPotato_Whered he say that

[@_FrozenPotato_]

@@Spydrco during the premiere in chat

[@Spydrco]

@@_FrozenPotato_ hype

[@MrG0ohan]

My favourite JJK song by far. Glad you made an arrangement for it (and played it beautifully, as always)

[@user-rf4cc7mn4m]

Finally!!!!!! Thank you so much animenz for covering my favorite jujutsu kaisen song!!!! Even since the song came out, I really thought that it will be great to hear this as your piano arrangement! I have 4 days left until end of year final exams and this video really cheers me up!!! Again, thank you so much, animenz. You’re my motivation for playing the piano! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@taymzmz7832]

frick yeaaaaaa! good luck on ur exams dude!

[@krusher737]

I feel you, I'm about to take mine in a few days too

[@user-rf4cc7mn4m]

@@krusher737 let’s go! You can do it!!!

[@user-rf4cc7mn4m]

@@taymzmz7832 thanks!!!

[@sadkermits]

yooo mine are starting as well! Goodluck to you !!

[@bobo-lz3jm]

your covers are so unparalleled!!!

[@hunterhendrickson12591]

YESSSSS!!!!!!! This is one of my most anticipated arrangements yet!!! Absolutely wonderful!

[@user-xr1yo4yz9s]

個人的にこの方の青のすみかが原曲にいちばん近いと思う。ピアノだけなのにあの儚さとか疾走感、迫力、全部が表現されててすごい。

[@therealsnaily]

What the hellllllll?!?! Another Animenz cover before the end of the year?!?!?!?! Dude, this is seriously incredible. Like, what can I say? This one is soo frickin' perfect. Imagine having another cover before january, it'd be insane!! Animenz, much love from here. GAMBARE GAMBARE!

[@ephemeral6224]

Animenz you are amazing, you are the one who inspired me and I'm sure many others to play the piano. two years ago I started lessons and now my teacher and I are starting in the level 10 repertoire book RCM and trying to play some of your songs from the books you have. Keep up the great playing!!

[@MyPianoAcademia]

The act of applause is an acclamation of the soul! 👏

[@levelbos6691]

I loved these first 5 episodes of season 2 so much, thanks for this arrangement!!!

[@vrealizer]

I cried again when I heard this song you played. It hurts my heart, but at the same time, I feel overwhelmed again. It's a great performance.

[@rovv32]

Animenz, this is truly beautiful. I need this on Spotify so baddd 🥲

[@answer-kun]

このオープニングの呪術廻戦が放送されてしばらく経っていたので、この曲のアップロードは無いと思っていたけど、不意打ちを食らった！！Animenzアレンジを聞きたいと強く思っていた曲なので聞けてめちゃくちゃ嬉しいです！！

[@user-ef6qp6lf5h]

ピアノにするとよりキレイだなぁ ｱﾆﾒﾝｽﾞさんのアレンジもすごい好き

[@Shepherd-ik1qw]

Same!! Just caught up with season2 and the Hidden/Premature arc is my fav!!😭 This OP has been looping in my brain for A WHOLE WEEK and I was JUST wondering when Animenz will arrange a piano adaptation! You must have read my mind🥰! Thank you for fulfilling my dream (again) @Animenz !

[@brogancowart3473]

Not even kidding the joy and happiness I am feeling right now is crazy I never thought animenz would upload this song cause it's not super popular

[@Rip_Milkywan001]

I love it ! This is amazing!

[@432hzblossomlove]

Amazing masterpiece, this time is not dry like the previous piece. Very emotional you definetly bring back the old memory from old classical style. Amazing work.

[@dazaidazai-mj4ys]

SO BEAUTIFUL OMGGGG ITS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU WITH THIS OP!! LIKE WOW ESPECIALLY THE ENDING PART WAS SO GOOD

[@bengr2504]

Your vids are always worth the wait. Another amazing cover!

[@user-dx9em3ic6g]

待ってました！！！青のすみかああああああああああ！！！！！うれしいいいい

[@MayahMia158]

I remembered I was really obsessed with this song when I first heard it and I think this cover made me fall in love with it again 😭

[@Yasuko-od3oe]

Omg;0 it's marvellous ❤, i really love your piano covers ♡

[@Pxtooo]

FINALLY! You are truly amazing (if that's not clear already) thank you for the amazing piece. You never fail to impress!

[@Aiming260]

Wow … I’ve been waiting for almost a year for this arrangement and it sounds amazing!🎉🎉🎉

[@sephinanacht6098]

This is a dream come true 😭 😭 😭 thanks for this awesome arrangement 😭

[@liemon__]

So good as always 💕

[@Thefnafgeek]

It’s so calming for some reason

[@owlankl]

great cover as always! i really love this song.

[@reaver1997]

I was hoping for you to make this one, thank you it's delightful ! :)

[@tonupiano]

As somebody who also arranged this song (and in a much tigher schedule), I had to say he's the most precise arranger of any genre of music. Ever. Not just how faithful to the original, but when and how to improvise, and what to change in order to keep the characteristic things of the said passage. e.g. the first pre-chorus with the higher octave to preserve the quarter note clapping. I wish I can learn directly from him fr

[@xXCowboyBebopXx]

Beautifully done!

[@shehara2003]

Totally nailed this!❤

[@yyukan86]

I love this opening so much... It litteraly was my top 1 song on my spotify wrapped 🙏🔥

[@sanuthweerasinghe7825]

extremely based pfp

[@zeIic]

@yyukab86 whats anime in your pfp

[@user-n9990]

animenz gets it right every single time... he's so GOOD. thank you sir.

[@aidenchoe4971]

Watching one Animenz video everyday is the perfect motivator for practicing

[@aymenortashi8411]

OMGG ANIMENZ IS UPLOADING THIS ON MY BIRTHDAY!! THANK YOU ANIMENZ!!

[@JackofThings]

Magnificent. Truly amazing each time I hear one your arrangements. I can hear how much work you put into these.

[@phothewin6019]

Glad to see the goat is still making these covers after all these years.

[@-guitarhero]

Yoo I did an electric guitar cover of this song a few days back, I like your piano arrangement! I like how we both add more melodic embellishment on the vocal melody from the perspective of both our instruments

[@devikaanithagopan7281]

This is certainly my most favourite song of the year... Simply beautiful❤

[@kota1196]

ただただ綺麗…

[@rachelle.alexis]

Bless your hands. This one made me super emotional.

[@clab16]

I love this song. Thanks for covering it and giving it your Animenz rizz :D

[@redrbobe]

This honestly might be my favorite cover yet

[@Shiro-mg1ku]

Thank you so much Animenz!!!!!

[@thiagocosta5041]

I've been waiting for the day Animenz covers Ao no Sumika for so long now... The day finally came

[@Hereson]

It's always amazing to see how you translate all the tiny little details of a song into your arrangement. My ears love it! #earcandy 🎉

[@demarcustaningco5140]

YESS IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR A LONG TIME ALTHOUGH IM LATE, THANK YOU ANIMENZZ!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻😭

[@titirak617]

directly into my favourite animenz's arrangement ✨

[@kenlu8679]

Okay playing his arrangements is like mastering reverse curse technique red or blue, but COMPOSING THEM, that’s like mastering murasaki. Oh my goodness

[@s534e]

Saw a new animenz notification and thought it would be a continuation of the AoT tribute but the new JJK op is pleasant suprise!

[@user-if5tr1mw1q]

解っていた 比べる事で負けていた そう生き方をしたのだろう って言うレベルですね 感銘しました。ありがとうございました😭

[@Fc_Akumatori]

Oh my gosh it's very amazing 🤩

[@Shionsan12]

I can listen to this all day

[@coraltugboat2296]

This is AMAZING 🤩🤩🤩

[@yuuuta0]

goosebumps. this is incredible.

[@northernpianomusic]

Spectacular!! So impressive. 🌟

[@L1min4l]

Back with another banger 🔥

[@theShadeslayer]

this is so beautiful bro

[@loicbrighton7957]

Awesome as always

[@orewakun7991]

As always perfect piano cover

[@SpicyKatChicken]

青のすみかって本当にピアノアレンジが似合うよね…徒花と〜のところすごく胸が苦しくなりました🥲 素敵な演奏ありがとうございます❤️

[@user-ho1ie3xk7d]

It really is the best. I always fall in love with listening to it. I can't wait to see you in concert！🥹✨

[@mariaydh]

I would love it if one day there was a Spotify channel to listen to all these arrangements much more, they are impressive 😢❤

[@glotchh]

phenomenal playing, and incredible arrangement that is very well replicate the original while being independently creative. you truly are the honored one!

[@astrop2366]

I've been wating for this timeeeeeeeeee!!!

[@Shkadoink]

I’ve been waiting for this one!

[@user-ry5oj3jy7y]

Wow! Thank you so much! I really like this song

[@try-it-0105]

I love your music!!!!

[@flipy6617]

thank you so much. great playing!

[@pianoyourself1123]

You made me fall in love with this song all over again~

[@DonotmesswithStormfeoUA]

Why??? Why did you have to make me cry??? Oh man... love your work, but I hate feeling like that... Thank you, from the bottom of the kokoro❤❤❤

[@aim22708]

Omg 🥹🥹🥹 you really listen to people's requests thank you!!!!