Guessing Who ZATO is from the Music Alone...

intensity. brutality.
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00:00 Who is Zato?
01:47 Connection to Love the Subhuman Self
04:12 off rhythm disconnectedness
08:04 Anger Sadness and Mental Instability
08:36 Reading Zato Lore

[@childethetoysalesman2968]

"Zato is a complex mixup character" i have no Idea If he's talking about the music or the actual gameplay

[@br0therthr332]

Yes

[@clip3844]

Yes.

[@inquisitorbenediktanders3142]

Agreed

[@funkliner31]

Indeed

[@petruscanisiusatalivian97]

Definitely

[@Danothyus1]

The only thing that you missed on lore is that after dying, Zato for some time was just a Husk being controlled by his shadow demon thing Eddie. After he got back to life, he is basically numb to emotions now, he remember his feelings for Millia but can't understand then anymore.

[@abrarnoorani8385]

And if I remember correctly those are the only emotions he retains

[@senounatsuru6453]

@@abrarnoorani8385 That is correct. Which is why he clings to them so tightly. He wants to feel again, and she's the only thing that lets him do so anymore.

[@LayzeeistLavender]

My favorite part about that bit of his backstory is that he's actually called Eddie instead of Zato in that game. Such a cool little attention to detail.

[@underhope6170]

Then > them

[@swag9950]

just like me fr

[@icetide9411]

"It's an emotional death" OH YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW RIGHT YOU ARE

[@clip3844]

My favourite part about this song is that in a normal match you will never be able to hear that final part, even if you spend all of the time available. You need to give Zato time to process his "feelings"

[@Oscar97o]

That's the case for all of the character songs, IIRC. The stories they tell only get resolved near the end, and you normally won't hear the end of the songs unless you're practicing with that character in training mode.

[@keeganwullaert1696]

@@Oscar97o While technically true, a lot of the characters themes don't necessarily tell a story and/or dont need to finish to send their message. Testament for example, Like a weed, naturally, as a matter of course" doesn't really tell a story and moreso tells Testaments ideology and though process and it pretty much sums up the entire thing pretty quickly. Testament simply wants to live their life in their own way doing what they want and doesn't need to stick out. this is shown from the very beginning of the song and doesn't change all the way through. I agree for most of the cast, Faust, Bridget, etc etc

[@that_dwayneee]

@@keeganwullaert1696to expand on this with the release of season 3 Johnny’s theme is literally just about how fucking cool on this. It makes sense, like Testament he’s completed his character arc, he has no heart-to-heart to have with the listener, his development is done.

[@solocup118]

Uncanny how the first thing he picks up on is a connection to Millia's theme.

[@drinkingproblem8934]

It's insane how accurate Marco was ngl

[@unsertainley]

It's insane how good the music is at conveying the character at e v e r y level

[@Adidasdj666]

It's insane how accurate he reads wiki

[@abesmith115]

4:35 "it's an emotional death, almost." Boy have I got news for you.

[@ellazheng8393]

It just shows how good the people makeing the music are

[@divinekof]

​@@Adidasdj666didn't ask liberal.

[@Laerei]

Zato's backstory was left incomplete. To abbreviate it, Zato ended up getting killed by Millia and his soul was sent to Hell (for a while the demon summoned by Zato's forbidden arts, Eddie, took over his corpse but was eventually also killed and sent back to Hell by Millia). Eventually though, his remains were used in a ressurection experiment by some evil corporation and they successfully brought Zato and Eddie's souls back from Hell and put them back into his body. However, Zato wasn't left unmarked by his Hell experience and has lost his ability to feel emotions. This new state allowed Zato to reflect upon himself and conclude that he had been acting wrong all this time. When he was found by Millia, he was a changed man who forgave her and together they took their assassin guild and made it work with the good guys in order to protect the world from those who would see it destroyed. Speaking of Eddie, the demon, he used to be very dark and sinister and definitely did not like Zato. However, after coming back from Hell with Zato, they get along now. Zato wasn't the only one changed upon returning and Eddie has gone from dark and sinister to goofy and bright. Returned Zato and Eddie seem to be best buddies now.

[@ShinobiPhoenix-YT0]

Of course, this is also because they (now temporarily) killed off Zato-1 when his VA passed away and they didn't want to remove the character from the game, but wasn't nearly ready to have someone else voice him again.

[@daddybadguy4324]

so in shorter termps zato is a simp

[@diccchocolate416]

​@@daddybadguy4324not at all lmao

[@daddybadguy4324]

@@diccchocolate416 dude got killed by a bitch sent to hell came back but still forgave her lol

[@Docotuero]

Exactly

[@InfernoTune727]

remember faust? yeah. ZATO is the one who KILLED the patient faust was trying to cure wich led faust to become a murderish psychopath. and to this day, faust hates zato for basically having ruined his life. this is shown especially in xrd where with fausts announcer pack, he will ask all members of the cast to go to the operation room except with zato to wich he'll say:"zato one, please come to the mourge"

[@Zadamanim]

Zato was also dead at one point so it makes sense for him to visit the morgue lol

[@InfernoTune727]

true but, the combination of it beeing true AND faust just hating zato makes this amazing @@Zadamanim

[@lizabeth529]

he also tells raven to report the emergency room (or similar, i dont recall exactly)

[@melodydreamweaver2603]

Faust doesn't actually hate Zato anymore, but he doesn't like him either. He's just iffy about it because he went to the man who told Zato to do it and learned there was someone else higher above that man who ordered it which shocked them both. His character in strive right now is about going back to his original idealogies about just wanting to help people and save them. In xrd, he absolutely hated Zato yes, even telling him to die in his fists of annihilation move, but thats xrd faust, not strive faust which is the story currently.

[@sasugaoresama2]

Also, funny little bit, I am pretty sure the technique used to revive Zato is the same resurrection technique that was stolen from Faust and was the reason his patient was targeted for assassination in the first place.

[@spirto1279]

The finale is dedicated to Millia. The TL;DR is that she mercy kills him in XX, and he's brought back to life in Xrd, which renders him unable to feel emotion whatsoever, but he notices he can still feel when he's with her, so he basically dedicates his life to being her protector

[@thalesandrade7281]

I love how much Marco was absolutely dying to sing along even if this was a first time reaction. GGST is just so much fun that it is hard to not get swept by.

[@FalseHerald]

You nailed a lot of the thematic elements! However, you didn't get to the part of Zato's plot this theme is actually addressing. It's always tricky to figure out where to start when you're reading these lore articles because you're coming in at the end of the series. Here's the important part: For reasons not important to this discussion, Zato dies. Dead for real. He is sent to the afterlife, here experienced as a giant, whirling mass of all human emotions. Again for reasons not important to this discussion, Zato is later resurrected. However, the constant emotional assault of the afterlife has altered him. This is the "drown in pain/gain" referenced by the song - there is no good or bad because the constant assault absolutely destroys his ability to feel emotion. It is the great loss driving him to "madness" you mentioned - though, in context, his madness is more of an all consuming apathy. His future and his past, bereft of the meanings they should hold, have "vanished into dark". However, one thing is able to pierce through this indifference - Millia. The woman he has loved and hated, so many times, still stirs something within him. This is the closest he can come to returning to the past, where he still lived and felt things as a normal human. So, as her shadow, like the very shadows he controls, he will carve a way for her.

[@FalseHerald]

I did notice you guessed "an emotional death, almost" in there somewhere, so well done!

[@clink7427]

The term "emotional death" is a perfect description. After he got revived, Zato lost his ability to feel emotions. The only thing he feels is something which he still doesn't understand towards Milia. And so because of that he made it his duty to protect Milia hence the title and the last verse. I like to imagine that the duality of the song represents Zato's relationship with Eddie (his shadow demon), the lyrics representing Zato and the instrumental representing Eddie. It mirrors their story well: In the beginning Zato wants to get his revenge on Milia and so he works with Eddie but he still doesn't fully control him, then when we get to the screamy lyrics I view it as the moment Eddie took control of Zato and the ending being their current relationship which is one of friendship. Being dead and only having each other to talk to for a while made them understand each other better, my theory being that Eddie became a vessel for Zato's emotions.

[@sodathejunker]

Classic Marco proving the power of music immediately, noticing that connection between Zato’s theme and Millia’s theme . It’s so subtle, yet when you sit and really pay attention to the tones and feelings conveyed by the two in rhythm and structure, it’s almost obvious.

[@meloolelo]

Been waiting for this one for so long

[@lynkxsec7067]

same i couldn't wait for this vid to come out

[@izzyfrozen]

Damn you're good. Picking up Zato's attachment to Millia just from the intro. Love to see it.

[@benwallace2423]

Another guilty gear song I would recommend is drift as it gets pretty whimsical in a part of it

[@UmaruMB]

He already reacted to the song in some lives and on guest videos

[@shaggyrogers8869]

Where@@UmaruMB

[@icetide9411]

Happy Chaos needed to become a Disney princess for a moment, it's just him being him

[@cocknose]

i cant describe how much the last minute of zatos theme has genuinely not only impacted but also described parts of my life shit makes me cry often it is indescribably amazing imo also i really love the research you do afterwards it adds alot to the reaction and makes it feel like you actually care, good job lol

[@Zanon911]

4:35 That was pretty close, it's an ACTUAL death

[@trebull2284]

probably one of the best songs in guilty gear even the parts before the "best" part

[@Octobeann]

immediately connecting it to love the subhuman self was insane ngl

[@Majevel]

Later in the lore zato dies because of his shadow but by some fuckery is brought back to life effectively a husk. He regains a some sense of self but during the period in between he reflects on his life and realizes that he still cares for Millia and now his main goal going forward is to make sure Millia is happy, whether its with or without him Its kinda why the song ends with that really gentle piano section, hes gone through the hatred and confusion and come out with clarity and a purpose

[@lucibvee]

I fucking love the old timey radio of the singing i love how its off sync AAAHH

[@twistedpear18]

It’s like watching a sommelier figuring out what year and brand a wine is.

[@valeon7303]

Yup, proof EVERYBODY has to scream the ending lyrics. Like how you have to scream the opening of Ride The Fire (which you should totally do at some point)

[@sketchywest1176]

Zato=1's name is taken from a popular fictional character named Zatoichi ("one" is "ichi" in japanese). This character is blind from a young age and has a rather turbulent upbringing, sharpening various skills, but leading him down a bad path. He eventually reflects upon his life and then chooses to do good wherever he may roam in an attempt to atone for his past actions. And also, while I can't find anything definitive, I'd be willing to bet that Zato's shadow friend Eddie is named after Iron Maiden's mascot, considering that Daisuke seems to be a big fan of rock and metal in general.

[@danf.5986]

Seriously hope he covers Kiss of Death from Strive someday as well. It's definitely simpler concept-wise, but still my favorite theme from my favorite character.

[@Sassaparilla]

Honestly, it's not a big deal...

[@maxmizera3539]

He can handle it

[@BaronSterling]

I love that Kiss of Death can really just be summed up as *"Shut the fuck up, I'm doing my job 😎"*

[@tzeentchmundi44]

HE DONT HAS TO THINK ABOUT IT

[@goldengamer9948]

Someone has probably already mentioned this but as an additional tidbit: In fighting games a 'Mix Up' is an opportunity where the offensive player has multiple options to attack so that the defending player can't block with certainty. So, the line "It all mixes up" has a double meaning in that it not only refers to the character themselves, but one of their strengths in the game. Similarly the line "I swept you off your feet" from Love the Subhuman Self also hits on one of Millia's strengths in game.

[@DoujinDude]

The best part is if you let the whole song play out in a match, it ends almost exactly at the climax.

[@lycanyte5898]

...I once had some...

[@shadowthief19]

SWEEEWEEEEEEEEET MEMORIIEEEEEEESSSS

[@izurukamukura9095]

It's worth remains all the same...

[@childethetoysalesman2968]

How can i remember those moments sweetheart?

[@georgedigby8465]

Tell me... Tell meeee...

[@chrishall8765]

If there's a man who can, make anything

[@odogar2738]

The moment he said "emotinal death". Bull's-eye.

[@HellOnFourLegs]

Marco connected so hard with this song Zato will be his new personality, wouldnt be surprised if he is all dressed in black and with a blindfold on the next video

[@cementdrip3968]

bro istg he cant be this lore accurate by just the music man!! nice analysis doe

[@Zadamanim]

Zato-1 is also a play on words. 1 is "ichi" in japanese, and Zatoichi is a famous fictional blind samurai. It could also be interpreted as a play on Zato+1, which would mean Zato and Eddie, because a "+1" is someone you bring with you.

[@balintkristof8442]

But it's officially written as Zato=1, which comes from the days when he was controlled by Eddie. The one additional guy was the one who did everything.

[@Zadamanim]

@@balintkristof8442 You're right, Xrd and Strive write it as Zato=1, i wonder why the wiki and everywhere else write it as Zato-1 Edit: Actually it's Zato-1 in Strive. Edit edit: In his original trailer for Strive he was shown as Zato=1.

[@ErmitanoGames]

Please listen to Ramlethal's song, one of those who talks the most about the character's history so this type of analysis you do would fit perfectly with the song! Very good video!

[@smallsoul2374]

Seconding this!!!! Such an underappreciated theme

[@youtubeisdead1858]

Hey Marco! May I suggest "guessing who Roland is based off the song Gone Angels?" I think it'd be an amazing analysis given the sort of thematic elements that the song has and the meaning it holds to Library of Ruina, especially with how complex he and his song is.

[@YouCanCallMeIz]

I second this, please do it

[@-cams.]

third this, also helps with getting PM mentioned

[@firepuppies4086]

It's not even fully unrequited, it's unremembered but still felt love

[@Vikaryous21]

I've been waiting for you to do this song since I found this channel through your Love the Subhuman Self video and seeing your response when the old-timey radio piano came back at the end was gold

[@SquabsMcGee]

AHHHH i’ve been waiting for this!!!

[@chadthundercock9660]

Finally. I was waiting for this for a long time :D

[@jordanguelbert7754]

The negative space between him and eddie makes it look like zato is holding a sandwich

[@itsjonesh]

Marco you're on a roll with these reactions to the song and their lore! I hope you will do some more Guilty Gear stuff - especially Leo and Ramlethal themes (Hellfire and Necessary Discrepancy) Personal opinion: together with Love the Subhuman Self, those are the créme-de-la-créme of STRIVE's album!

[@pb.....]

Since some of the GG Charakters have been in the game for quite a few games, they have a few fifferent themes. I think for a future Video of this kind it could maybe be fun to Listen to All the themes of a character in order and trying to Figure out their Story arc

[@commediaDollArte]

the final part of let me carve your way hits like a damn will wood song

[@omegaghost8267]

I would love to see my man listen to Drift, and enjoy the "chaosness" of the song

[@RedTearStone5822]

i get so excited for new gg music reactions

[@jirushimusic5135]

2:17 Not only they are out of sync rhythmically, but they are out of sync tonally. Compositional masterpiece 😗👌

[@Ohmargod]

My favorite thing about this whole song is the duality in the beginning. The two parts of the song overlapping is genius. Reminds me of Slipknot's "The Nameless", which has two very different parts (Verse and Chorus) combining in the end to create a whole new chorus.

[@king8-savage137]

i wouldn't say mental instabality on my part but more so mental anguish because of being betrayed and as they said in his lore : his affection turned to hate . but that's just me

[@TPLR15]

I was expecting this banger, finally

[@dr.stronk9857]

It’s about time you listen to this masterpiece!!

[@r3dsauc3.]

Definitely need to hear Necessary Discrepancy, Ramlethal's theme. it's such a good listen and i wonder if you can deconstruct it well like you done with the others

[@GothMoth_exe]

This is my FAVORITE Strive track. NAOKI and co. do a fantastic job bringing these characters to life with the lyrics, the rhythms, the melodies. So cool to see people who can appreciate all the effort and thought that goes into every one of these themes!

[@152mmapfsds]

This is a really good interpretation without reading the lore. I really appreciate you

[@helicoptergovroomvroom4360]

this is a very unique and interesting concept for not just gg character themes but for other vgs as well, please make this a series !!

[@Sassaparilla]

It's been a series for a while.

[@mihailkostov9667]

I wrote a comment a few months ago wanting you to react to this. You never disappoint

[@shill2920]

you should listen to drift next! a theme of whats probably one of the most interesting characters in the series, and the lyrics definitely describe them perfectly!

[@comradevictor2606]

I actually like the theme of Zato, but i would like to request Leo`s` theme. It`s a beautiful way of telling a story of survivors guilt.

[@kangurukaiser9395]

5:24 you could say that losing your life might change your world view a little

[@animeboi87]

i was waiting for this video to come out, after seeing you start reacting to some of these guilty gear strive songs I was really really hoping you would listen to zato's theme. I play zato in ggst and after hearing his theme for the first time I knew you would love this song. Thx for listening and love your videos!!!

[@TPLR15]

Also the one that Zato refers as Sweethearth is another character in the game called Millia rage

[@cricketlife4716]

It’s always so cool how accurate you are in these. You should really check out happy chaos’ theme. I would love to se what you think about him

[@Kaneland2014]

A great little detail at the very end of the song, you can hear a female voice enter for the last few seconds, which I feel is implied to be Millia with how connected their stories are.

[@belowaverage3451]

...thats not a female voice lol he's just hitting a high note but I get what you're sayin

[@crimeman621]

finally you got around to this masterpiece

[@jorgegutierrez8588]

Excited to see what youd be able to interpret from Happy Chaos's theme

[@sharzinlalebazri5673]

The little shadow guy that Zato has is called Eddie. He used to be much more draconic back in the day and there was even a period of time when Zato was dead and his corpse was being moved around by Eddie who was desperately looking for a new host because he couldn't survive in Zato's corpse for too long.

[@puffyartist]

i would absolutely love to see how this guy guesses Potemkin's character with his theme, "Armor Clad Faith"

[@pixelskullzae3942]

essentially zato being numb holds back eddie knowing eddie is vulnerable if he dies to his corpse state their is no anger or even sadness left after his sudden death and resurrection leaving him numb and blank emotionally

[@BreadStyx-]

i am on my hands and knees BEGGING you to give happy chaos's theme a listen

[@TDeane]

These videos are always so impressive, and they're always such a joy to watch Another (simpler) song from Guilty Gear that you would probably enjoy is Mirror of The World, Baiken's theme. I think in this one it's a lot easier to guess the character's story, but it's still a really good story and the song is fantastic

[@chillyinsummer]

Hey man, great job on this reaction! You were honestly pretty much spot on when it came to your analysis. If you take requests, I would love to see your analysis on "Who Will Know" from Shin Godzilla. I think it'd be up your alley!

[@ThisJustOne]

hope Ramlethal's theme "Necessary Discrepancy" gets done at some point. I didn't like it at first but it really grew on me

[@deltanoiro]

Damn, i told myself i wasnt gonna tear up this time. This some man.

[@MrTerry1298]

GG Videos are always cool

[@georgedigby8465]

Engagement for Algorithm

[@cal5924]

If you haven't already I would recommend "mirror of the world." I would be super interested to see your reactions.

[@KashKey-]

What I love most about this song is that final emotional release after all that rage and tension. As the song wraps up Zato finally addresses the source of his rage and despair that ruled the rest of the song and was first established at the start: That he once had sweet memories, but those emotions and that time in his life have all mixed up and vanished into darkness. He begs one final time to return to those happier times, but concludes that if it is not possible, he has one last person he can plead to. He pleads to Millia, the last person in the world who can make him feel any emotion whatsoever, to let him carve her way. And he assures that he will be the shadow to her light, and always remain by her side. It's almost heartbreaking.

[@Dracobyte]

Nice!

[@izzyfrozen]

Yesssss! Please do more Guilty Gear vids. I love your reactions to these!

[@surelylune]

love these! any chance youll do one of these for baiken? her theme in strive is amazing and shes one of my favourite characters (though fair warning some of the lyrics for her song on youtube are actually wrong lol)

[@Sinetheballwoman]

You said "emotional death" And that is probably the most accurate description of what zato was going through in strive

[@Onvash]

the end of this song always brings me to tears

[@Galavantworks]

Spot on understanding of the theme. Especially considering how the complexity of the theme falls in line with the lore of Zato-1. Having gone through actual death being killed by the one he loved, his revival has left him in an emotional void. But said void to Zato is a hellish torture, akin to having no mouth and a need to scream. It’s only through his thoughts and memories of Milia he has retained some semblance of his former humanity ergo the transition from rage and distortion to somber harmony and feeling.

[@mudkiporsomething9755]

When a SONG is able to describe a character and let a completely blind outsider know what the character's deal is, that's some good writing

[@koover]

Id love to hear you do "haven't you got eyes in your head" or "jack a dandy". They're slayers themes from the older games and he's my favorite!

[@Gameboy-kl8br]

It's worth learning what's happened to Zato since then as well.

[@TexasTaterSalad]

It’s always great to hear how accurate people are on figuring out characters from their songs except for when the song are more literal than anyone can guess

[@alaksion]

Can't wait for Baiken/Anji themes

[@VelvetHexUwU]

It's hard to believe just how accurate Marco has been about Zato just based on the theme

[@doctordoom1851]

Damn you put the connection to Millia's Love Thy Sub Human Self so quickly lol.

[@Chrira235]

MORE GUILTY GEAR!!! PLS KEEP DOING MORE

[@WillGlacier]

If you are planning on going into more Guilty Gear Strive character themes then I really recommend Happy Chaos just because of the sheer insanity that is his theme. It's simultaneously all over the place but also very grounded to his character in a weird way

[@Tazawa_OLD_ACCOUNT]

**ahem...** I ONCE HAD SOME _SWEET MEMORIIIIIIIIEEEESS_

[@trollman_2345]

Wanna know something interesting? The last hopeful, inspiring... recovery? of a sort in the end of the song cannot be heard in-game. Matches are too short to get to that point in the song, and that's because that moment of clarity is something that can only be reached outside of the hectic chaos of battle (or at least that is my take on the matter).

[@malakarvonstroheim5372]

5:24 Yes, he died, Eddie killed him, like an asshole, then when they were both brought back to life, after Millia managed to kill Eddie while he was puppetting Zato's corpse (Again, asshole), Zato lost all of his emotions and he reconciled with Eddie, but the only thing he could remember was the feelings he had for Millia, which were very real and pure, despite the fact that Zato was tyrannical and evil.

[@leeryarch3523]

This was a awesome video, watching this whole series when they appear in my Recommended. Can someone with more music theory knowledge than I explain the similarities between Subhuman Self and this song?

[@sutoriimmortal2177]

I still think that the best touch to this song is that you'll never hear that more collected and beautiful part at the end during a normal match. The song is simply too long. Meaning that the easiest way to hear the full song in game is to go into the training mode and then do nothing but wait. Showing us in a meta sort of way that perhaps the only thing that will help Zato collect himself in the end will be time.

[@Sketchchess07]

For the next guilty gear character, I'd love to hear your take on Baiken's theme, Mirror of the World. At first I wasn't a fan of it, but it slowly grew on me. Another one I'd love to hear is Happy Chaos' because of how big of a part he plays in the lore of the game.

[@pr0m3th3us7]

I imagine someone asked Zato what it was like to die and come back and that's how they got the lyrics to this song

[@gatr2897]

Interested to see if you'll check out Johnny's theme once he gets released. Johnny may not look it but he's a pretty deep and nice guy so I'm excited to see what the lyrics of his theme will contain

[@mailpack584]

FINALLLLYYYYYYYYY