Opera Singer Reacts: Safi'Jiiva

genuinely though - this theme for whatever reason actually made me viscerally uncomfortable..Something about the tonal structure and this chant melody..Very other worldly!
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Credits:
Composer: Yuko Komiyama
video used: • MHW: Iceborne - Safi'j...

[@bilhaqi4571]

HE'S A GENTLE SIMPLE SAILOR

[@hyrix6668]

HE'S A GENTLE SIMPLE SAILOR

[@thefanciesttortoise557]

HE'S A GENTLE SIMPLE SAILOR

[@lazaromarques6797]

HE LONG, HE LONG, HE LONG, SAY NO!

[@hyrix6668]

@@lazaromarques6797 PEOPLE! PEOPLE! PEOPLE! SAY HELLO!

[@morr6591]

Do you know that you are laying on

[@shagarumedic]

“Guys he’s too strong…we can’t do this…” (Proof of a hero plays in phase 3) *parts broken* *parts broken* *parts broken* *safi’jiva slayed!*

[@retro6332]

"yeah we ready tho kill safi, les gooooo!!!!" 2 minutes later You dead

[@hijikili2656]

When you carted, and return to the fight for another his Ultimate attack without ready to take cover

[@wyvernjay5541]

Vietnam flashbacks

[@MistaFinni]

The indomitable hunter spirit

[@kyuumons]

nothing revitalizes you in a fight more than when you hear proof of a hero come into the music

[@dragondadvillaro7975]

It feels like an unholy chant My brain: "HES A, GENTLE, SIMPLE, SAILOR"

[@akaitsuki8768]

Also my brain: "These are exhausted horses... Aaah..."

[@melaniematos2609]

@@akaitsuki8768 my brain too "The horses are on fire oooooh, pleeeeeEEEEEEEASE...."

[@johnathonlee7053]

@@melaniematos2609 I can’t un hear it now..

[@Inuxxus]

DONT LOOK AT MEEEEEEE

[@ShiroTsubasaFalcores]

PUNCHING A THORN

[@askalon4558]

For those who didn't play the game, the boss can focus his attention on you (marked with a red link between him and you)and the music change for you only, not your teammates, letting you hear those heartbeat like sounds. Monster hunter soundtrack is something for sure. Alatreon theme in World is as ominous, if not more, that it was in the previous entries. Malzeno theme in Sunbreak is pretty dope too.

[@askalon4558]

Now that i think about it, the game sounds (roars, strikes, etc) really add to the piece. When you get a laser beam to the face with a crecendo choir, the beam sound is needed.

[@maicariuionel6667]

Wow,thank you for the explination,such a cool detail,made me want to play just for that!!

[@nimbusws2566]

@@askalon4558 this, and the way safi's roar just opens the choir in-game

[@xailonut8763]

@@maicariuionel6667 Good luck, it's quite the trip skill and time wise to get there

[@Keaton_Ambrose]

That's my favorite part, I LOVE getting his attention.

[@justsomejerseydevilwithint4606]

4:16 for those unaware, this tune is what plays when Safi'jiiva is targeting YOU. He's no longer switching between teammates, he's exclusively targeting YOU ALONE because you've done the most damage to him recently. He attacks you viciously in this stage, swiping his jaws across the ground as he charges towards you, and trying to get you in his mouth. If he can, he carries you into the sky, roasts you with a direct blast of energy, BLASTS you into the ground and blasts you again. This attack can one-shot you if you aren't tanky enough and on full health. As for the music, that heartbeat is likely your own pumping in your ears as your player realizes HOLY SHIT, THE DRAGON IS AFTER _ME._ the rising deep horns as THE JAWS SNAP EVER CLOSER, the BLARING RAGE that this thing feels toward you, it's all a very intimate, terrifying moment.

[@riddlerx994]

I heard some speculation that the heartbeat is actually Safi's because of how calm and steady it is, it's not frantic like you'd expect it to be from a scared hunter but calm and steady implying that Safi is completely chill while trying to kill you which I think I prefer

[@justsomejerseydevilwithint4606]

@Bruh Usually yes, the mother guards the nest, but Remember, Xeno'Jiiva was born FROM CRYSTAL. Who knows how it reproduces beyond Energy-bathing Coccoons, and who knows if they even have genders. Unlike Teostra/Lunastra, Ibushi/Narwa, or Kushala Daora, Jiiva is an entirely new species only documented ONCE, in its infantile, then adult stages. There has only ever been ONE example seen, no mate, no widespread species, just one. Elder Dragons canonically defy explanation. Who knows if those coccoons were naturally formed, either there or transported by safi from Elder's Recess, or laid by that safi alone or with a mate? With a species that powerful and rare, it could eat starlight to reproduce for all we know

[@julianswinton5355]

​@@justsomejerseydevilwithint4606 I think it is likly that the Jiva "spieces" are aliens and not native to the monster world as any other elder dragon had already official records except the black dragons like ala and the fatalis

[@matthewkudray4840]

@@julianswinton5355 the “xeno” part of its name adds to your theory more, xeno mean foreigner or different in origin

[@johngrace1312]

I have another take on it, other than it’s your terrified heartbeat, or it’s Safi’s heartbeat, my take is that it’s your heartbeat, but it’s not because of terror, it’s your Hunter going “it’s attention is on me, it’s go time” and really focusing on remaining calm and making the right calls to avoid being destroyed by the monster. At this point in the game, while this is certainly the most powerful monster you’ve faced up to this point, it’s certainly not the first time you’ve fought a threat of its caliber, if that makes sense to anyone but me

[@kunotempest880]

If no one has told you this yet @MarcoMeatball . The sudden "silence" at 9:53 is Safi taking flight before showering the arena in non lethal flames before he does his nova called "Saphire of the Emperor", basically a small ball of really dense energy which explodes in a one hit kill. Lore wise it is said to instantly vaporize someone out of existence, leaving nothing, not even ash.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Insane

[@kelmirosue3251]

Isn't there also a theory that Safi Jiva may become a Black Dragon level threat if allowed to continue living?

[@demiroast9515]

@@kelmirosue3251 If I am remembering right. He's supposed to be on par with fatalis. Sometimes becoming even a rival to him. Could be wrong tho

[@noivern1735]

​@@demiroast9515 you are correct! It was stated in the monster hunter world book that he is on par with Fatalis, potentially able to go even further.

[@Ajehy]

Fatalis is an ancient terror, the flame that burned an age. Its destructive power is the stuff of legends. We fear because we KNOW what it’s capable of. Safi is horrifyingly new and alien. Its destructive power is the stuff of nightmares. We fear because we CANNOT KNOW what it’s capable of.

[@bluhmer1990]

A recent Lore book revealed Safi is the rival/counterpart to Fatalis so it makes sense why Safi is the only other Dragon to get such an intense choir theme.

[@littlelw319]

can i ask for the source of this lore book? i'd love to read more about MH lore

[@lucastolter6344]

@@littlelw319 i would also Like to know the Book

[@lucastolter6344]

@@littlelw319 found it ,its the iceborne offical ecology book

[@littlelw319]

@@lucastolter6344 ahh thank you

[@TheNamezZ]

Tried to tell people this way before… the back dragon/ the red dragon. Dominating humanity/ forcing its rules but still co existing.

[@stormy2446]

Something to note is that when the song mutes itself to the point of just the heartbeat, Safi is dropping a nuke the size of a pea that ohko’s anyone not hiding behind a rock

[@alephkasai9384]

That nuke can also one shot a lot of monsters

[@thegreglin332]

@@alephkasai9384 the admiral says nothing would survive that, the only things that come close are probably dalamadur, fatalis, Alatreon(He can survive his own escaton so id say hes decently tanky) and maybe basarios because he has so many rocks on him (That was a joke)

[@Churros_are_Overrated]

@@thegreglin332honestly basarios might survive considering that the sapphire of the emperor erases every living or biological thing in its radius completely and utterly but has little effort on the terrain, you can see this when it uses it the ground gets burned and the rocks are partially destroyed but that’s about it. If the basarios was covered in enough durable rocks and buried I’m willing to bet if has a decent shot at surviving

[@thegreglin332]

@@Churros_are_Overrated oh shit yeah youre right. Shara might also survive it then

[@Churros_are_Overrated]

@@thegreglin332 safi would be too uncomfortable to use it when shara is in his second phase with those creepy ass eyes so he might as well be invincible to it

[@MistaFinni]

The fact Safi's theme as well as Alatreon, Rajang, Fatalis, Raging Brachydios, and Arch-Tempered Velk's theme isn't on spotify or anything else is a crime. I wish I could start a movement to get these songs available.

[@OMFGUSERNAMETAKENWTF]

Right!? These and I would pay good money for quality versions of the mount themes!

[@nezarecdiscipleofthewitnes3823]

What's the difference between arch-tempered and normal Velkhana theme?

[@jamarswope2341]

Yeeeesssss, just slew this beast with my little brother the other night! The way the music warps when he's looking at you is so chilling, and the heartbeat too. There's 2 theories about the heartbeat. The first and most popular is that it's your heartbeat, that having the beast's attention is causing your heart to beat so loudly in terror that you can hear it. The second, proposed by Davi Vasc, is that it isn't fast enough to be beating in fear; rather, it's the angry beating of Safi's heart, and the weight of its focus on you fills all your senses with its presence. Its angry heartbeat thumping fills your subconscious. Great theme, really terrifying, 10/10

[@jamarswope2341]

And yes, that's Proof of a Hero at the end! And I believe this it the first time Proof's main melody has been SUNG by voices!

[@winterfrostarian]

Eight days ago?!

[@MarcoMeatball]

@@winterfrostarian hes a member of the channel and gets early access :p

[@ducestat06savage99]

@@MarcoMeatball fun fact the dragon is based around stars and come from them it feeds on the earth's life energy like a parasite

[@bukojoetheslapsoils8273]

I'm pretty sure it's theory 1 because if it's theory 2, other players should also hear Safi's heart beating.

[@blambit2101]

A bit of context, safi’s proof of a hero rendition plays at the final stage of the fight, with only minutes left on the quest timer. It’s extremely intense made even better with the heroic music. Well done Capcom 👏

[@erianpeterson3431]

I'm so hyped for what will be shown to us next year and I hope we get more rememberal moments like this

[@daruther1]

The devs actually said at one point that Safi'jiiva can rival fatalis who is canonically the most powerful monster. A bit sad the version you listened to didn't have the target theme play for the last phase. The horror soundtrack over the more heroic theme makes for an awesome sound

[@cantaro5958]

And the fact that the jiivas can adapt and evolve to overcome anything that has beaten him on the past is scary

[@thepope2412]

It would have to absorb bioenergy for a very long time to do think I think. The most powerful attack it has doesn't come close the fatalis

[@lucastolter6344]

Can i get a source for that ? Because the Last Time that i remember the devs talking about it the Statement still was that the black dragons are above all the other Monsters with the fatalis Trio beeing the strongest

[@lucastolter6344]

Nvmd found the Book, its the iceborne offical ecology Book . Really Hope that we will get a english Version at some Point

[@wolfyjack3866]

as an insect glaive player, I am glad I NEVER have to hear this : )

[@mattiariccardi5460]

Finally THE SAPPHIRE STAR ITSELF GETS THE LOVE IT DESERVES. What an absolutely chilling theme for the monster that was alluded to since the beginning of the game in 2018, getting this monster in the DLC was just HYPE AS HECK. And as you gase at this majestic beast and listen to this amazing theme it suddenly jumps in the air as the music halts completely, and suddenly all the pressure form the theme is released in one tiny sapphire light in the middle of the arena, and then a new dawn comes as almost nuclear mayhem destroys the arena and every hunter in its path. You can feel that this monster would just erase bioms and bring a new dawn to the world if released. Thank you so much for listening to this, and many more masterpieces from many amazing games. Grazie mille davvero

[@MarcoMeatball]

Piacere mio :)

[@sliferx000x000]

the vibrations of energy compressed in the sapphire of the emperor drown out all the ambient sounds and the music.

[@hotrocketfire]

when you have the time, look up some gameplay of Safi'jiiva's supermove, 'Sapphire of the Emperor'. it's utterly jaw-dropping and the way all sound just bleeds away as Safi readies it is something out of this world

[@megaman161]

9:51 I like they included what you'd actually hear during that in the soundtrack.

[@MythagoWoods]

That's probably my favorite part of the fight, just from the spectacle of it. Here you are, fighting a giant angry dragon when it knocks down the pillars, flys into the air, and suddenly the music and sound fades as it prepares an attack until there's silence... then the small sapphire glint drops and the music explodes back in when the attack goes off.

[@jai249]

an interesting aspect of the theme of the Safi'jiva is that it kind of reflects how the safi'jiva is "faking" to be a normal dragon, as it's a grown version of the xeno'jiva, which is a semi-amorphous alien thing, which, to blend more in the ecosystem, tries to take on the form more similar to it's sorroundings (in this case dragons and the like). so it looks deceptively "generic", but the theme kind of reveals it's true nature, of a Thing that is wearing a creature's skin and trying to pass as a normal living being

[@saphiriathebluedragonknight375]

It's colors remind me of Rathalos.

[@mudshrooze]

Love this comment. Have actually had arguments online about the nature of Xeno and Safi. And how they are canonically supposed to be alien. Not necessarily alien to the world of monster hunter but alien in its interaction with nature Something went horribly wrong in the creation of the Xeno and Safi and it's a ravenous destroyer of its environment. More dangerous than any Black Dragon which I would say are still natural beasts. Xeno and Safi may very well have originated fromspace. But wether or not they did they dont belong on the world. Safi proves that their nature is evil and wicked

[@tylerrodriguez9935]

⁠​⁠@@mudshroozeI love that point: “something went horribly wrong in the creation of Xeno and Safi” because we know Safi and Xeno are the Sapphire Star in the Legend of the Five. So its powers with the lifestream and light seem to be natural, but instead of creating and nourishing, this safi and Xeno instead are parasitic. Maybe if Xeno wasn’t immediately hunted upon its birth things may have changed. Or maybe it is the influence of seemingly increasing number of elder dragons that have come to the new world to die every crossing that could be making Xeno and Safi reliant on the lifestream energy. In the same way one might have an addiction. Either way, there is clearly a change in nature from how the sapphire star is revered in the legend and how our Safi acts.

[@ZZMonkeysUncleZZ]

The duality you mentioned at the 2 minute mark is spot on. One of Safi’s titles is the Sapphire Emperor, and it was made to be the first ever monster to be a direct rival to Fatalis itself. It’s a ruler among monsters. On the other hand, what makes it so dangerous, besides its raw power, is how it feeds. It quite literally kills the land, completely draining it of life energy to feed its bottomless hunger.

[@shahs1221]

Yes!! Someone's already mentioned this but yes, Safi has an interesting mechanic where during the second phase onwards, it'll focus on a single player and hound on you. One thing players can do is to latch onto Safi's face so it'll switch it's attention on that player instead. I always volunteered to do this because I was the tank of the group so I could take the hits or avoid them. Trust me when I say, no matter how many times I've fought Safi (and it's A LOT, you need it's gear to really dent the next big boss) I'm always terrified because of that gimmick of the heartbeat pulsing kicking in the soundtrack with the added instruments, especially when you have to worry about not messing up and getting one shot, because you'd need all the lives you can spare to get to the last phase. The first time I heard it, I was stunned. No other track in the game was like this and were all conventional tracks, so when this happened I was frantically saying to my friends, "um wtf is going on??" Absolutely TERRIFYING. It awakes something primal in you and toys with your instincts to flee but having to stand your ground and fight. It also instills a huge sense of urgency, because other than worrying about failing the quest due to dying, if you don't do enough damage to Safi when it gets to the third phase it escapes and the rewards aren't as plentiful, thus wasting time on your part as well as others (MH hunts can last up to half an hour, particularly if it's a difficult battle). That moment where the music gets drown out is when Safi does it's most powerful move where it flies into the air and drops basically a super nova onto the field. You cannot tank this, you HAVE hide behind certain rock formations on the map to survive. So you can imagine having the pulsing heartbeat, along with the blaring instruments just getting louder and louder until the nova drops and the music bleeds out and transitions with the explosion into that glorious portion of the track. It's pure once in a lifetime experience! Just goes to show how effective music can be in making an already memorable fight into an even more memorable experience as a whole! Whoever thought of that deserves a raise because that was a stroke of genius just on a soundtrack level! Lore wise, it also helps drive home that Safi is VERY dangerous to the ecosystem with it having the ability to suck up energy (and heal itself that way). In fact, the next big boss, Alatreon which is a Black Dragon appeared due to feeling threatened of another possible usurper, thus showcasing how Safi was on the same level danger wise (the Monster Hunter World art book also mentioned this). It's also the first Red Dragon which is a separate categorisation from Black Dragons which many know are the most powerful among the subspecies, but as previously mentioned Red Dragons are on the same level. If I'm not mistaken, this Safi was still in the beginning stages of adulthood as well, so you can imagine how insane it'll be if it were to be allowed to grow into a more mature and powerful being. Design wise, I love the Fatalis principle where the more simple looking a dragon is, the more dangerous. Safi just straight up looks like a dragon you'd see on a D&D board or a classical fantasy cover. Safi was the first true challenge endgame wise and really highlighted how much efficiency and teamwork mattered in a group setting. It was a raid boss. You weren't just fighting for your group, you're contributing to other parties in the lobby, so the more you do better (Safi's health bar is NUTS), the better it benefits everyone else in getting good rewards.

[@corbingarrison7167]

Fun fact Safi isn’t even full grown yet, it’s often considered either an adolescent or a pre teen

[@nezarecdiscipleofthewitnes3823]

Yep and at this point he's a direct rival to Fatalis and Alatreon. I know they probably won't do it but I'd like for them to expand upon the Jivva species in future MH titles

[@saschakartoffel1936]

Doesn't the hunters book in the game literally state that it's the mature form of xeno though

[@DaichiMatsu]

White fatalis vs true adult safi would be something my eyes (and ears for music clash) would cry at the beauty of

[@maxwell1777]

They literally said on the game that it’s a fully mature form

[@mackan5840]

Its almost like listening to Safi'jiivas descent into madness, starting off majestically but slowly turning into this more intense almost frantic soundtrack of pure desperation and madness. Like a god that is being beaten down by lower creatures. Absolutely love it :D. Thank you for making a video about her as well!

[@athos9293]

Well pointed

[@yumenashi_]

Now we need Shara Ishvalda's theme ! One of the most weird and epic music i've heard from a Mh game :)

[@-Kaeya-]

PLEASE PLPLEAE

[@guillermogonzalez3696]

Loved your interpretation of the song as always, never thought about the contrast of the chorus and the beat at the beggining. The part in which it starts to sound like a heartbeat was interpreted by Davi Vasc as if this creature's presence was so overwhelming, you would feel it's very heartbeat and fear for your life. If you want another theme from MH with a demonic vibe, you should really check Sunbreak's final boss Gaismagorm, it even has its own proof of a hero version in the end, that theme I would absolutely love to see your interpretation

[@MarcoMeatball]

love davi's passion for MH and his interpretations!

[@IvoryMadness.]

@@MarcoMeatball Oh, so you Davi! He's a nice guy, a colab with him would be interesting!

[@lenardstarks5891]

Ironically enough gaismagorm is based on a demon

[@ShadowReaper1227X]

Another thing I like about Safi's theme is that it never "gives up". Like in a lot of Monster Hunter fights, "Proof of a Hero" will be the theme for phase 2 and that's obviously like "Oh, that's Proof of a Hero". But with Safi, his theme still persists despite the PoH melodies that keep popping up like "No, no no no, N-O, this is MY theme, Stfu, I ain't giving you this win. You. Will. Die. Here. Capiche?".🤣 Idk, funny way of looking at it, but it does have a Persistance that ya gotta respect

[@redness2030]

The fact he is the only monster to do that is...well really cool Even fatalis theme stop when Proof start but him its like Monster hunter :...he...he is too powerful ! Hunter 2 : Why ?! Hunter 1 :HIS THEME PLAY AT THE SAME TIME THAT OUR THEME !!!

[@loading...5882]

For those who don’t know, the choirs are revealed in the theme to apparently be Praising safijiva’s perfection. Your interpretations were spot on👍

[@k9vendettathewolfofmordor529]

Imagine something so big that you could just hear it's heartbeats from miles away.

[@dcscorch969]

I believe its your own heartbeats you'e hearing as it targets you

[@k9vendettathewolfofmordor529]

@@dcscorch969 I know that's one of the theories but just like in general imagine that

[@TheFabulousRBK]

I'd really rather not >.>

[@le_skurj6381]

I think the uncanny electronic sounds in the theme are meant to represent its alien nature. You see, Safi' Jiiva is the adolescent form of Xeno' Jiiva, and if you look at Xeno' Jiiva, that thing looks like it doesn't belong in our world at all.

[@CaptainCFalcon]

It literally doesn't. Safi'Jiiva is THE Sapphire Star. Xeno'jiiva is it's juvenile alien flesh exposed to the elements. It's why it's impossible to bounce off its body, because it has no hard parts to bounce off of. Xeno'jiiva crashed into our planet a millennia ago, & had been siphoning energy to sustain itself that entire time.

[@alphaomegatwo759]

other way around Xeno is the adolescent of Safi

[@VonHaze]

@@alphaomegatwo759 "Safi'jiiva is a large red dragon that in contrast to its juvenile form, Xeno'jiiva no longer has an otherworldly appearance."

[@someguynamedowen9944]

Wait if Xeno is the newborn And Safi is the adolescent *what in god’s name is the adult*

[@le_skurj6381]

Honestly, we're lucky we don't get to find out. At least not yet. And God help us if we ever do.

[@KingDJ524]

9:55 the two sides stare down. Who will break. 10:15 the hunter has the "we got this" moment 10:40 Safi says "No. You don't" And after this section ends it is a pure war racing until one side is dead

[@Akareh]

What I love the most about this theme is that in the "unsettling section" of the song the drums kinda sound like an accelerated ticking clock, a reminder that you're running out of time. And the horns sound like evacuation alarms blasting off full volume so people get out asap. And then, when there's no one left but the hunters facing the beast, when everyone has evacuated you get 10:15. Full on a hopeful theme again, that you're going to slay this beast and save your people. I don't know if that was the intention but I adore that contrast.

[@Chireiya]

Here's something significant about the music in the fight. When Safi drops the sapphire star bomb, its ultimate attack, the thing hinted at in the very logo of the entire game, the music. just. stops. It was the first time in my experience of playing Monster Hunter, that the music just cut off like that and the silence made the impact, literally, of the attack so much bigger! Especially with the giant bell sound behind Safi's roar. It's just chef's kiss perfection!

[@savvivixen8490]

One more lil tidbit, if you're interested: The tail-cut stump on Xeno and Safi'Jiva IS the star in the MHW logo. :3

[@amedeo1098]

speaking of big giant monster, I'd love seeing you react to kulve taroth medley. She (or he idk) it's a monster completely covered in liquid gold and the soundtrack is so amazing and heroic, especially during the third phase of the fight, where the ceiling of the cavern you are fighting in starts to melt and fall onto you... Such an incredible monster

[@axoliminator]

yes please, Kulve taroth final phase ost is so good it would be a crime not to cover it

[@rafaomegax]

I was crying in the second half of the vid. It has been YEARS since I last heard this theme. The memories... and the DREAD of being targeted by Safi... where it aims not on you but ahead of you knowing you will be there to catch the flames. The sudden silence and heartbeats when the falling star drops... Terrifying and awe inspiring. I remember returning to Safi with my full Healer set. Sheeesh. I still have tears in my eyes.

[@wtfholymoly5093]

This. I'm also tearing up every time I hear Safis theme. I think it's partially out of nostalgia. MHW was the first MH game I ever played and I enjoyed every second of it. Safis fight is so well made and every time he did his "Ult" where he drops this star and everything goes silent, the buildup until it finally explodes I had goose bumps. Safis theme is just a masterpiece, it's epic just as the fight itself, it's uncanny, it's everything you want for the fight against this behemoth of a being and makes the experience 10 times better. Whoever worked on this theme, bravo.

[@DaVideoGameBeastr]

I would LOVE it if you listened to Shantien's 4 themes from Monster Hunter Frontier. They are so varied and beautiful in their composition.

[@Shad0w_vt]

Yes! The way i look at shentien's theme is that you start off fighting an elder dragon and as the fight goes on you are fighting less of a monster and more of a savage force of nature. By phase 3 it sets in that this thing isn't what it seems and by phase 4 the majestic and awe inspiring tones are completely gone and replaced by a sense of fear and a cold realization that you are forced to fight when you should be running or hiding to take shelter from the storm. It's such an awesome track!

[@DespinaValnir]

YES PLEASE THIS!

[@MakutaSighkonus96]

The heartbeat always gets me it's just indication that your hunter does get scared of certain monsters and honestly I don't blame them Safi ain't no joke.

[@sorathesapphirestar8107]

I clicked this so fast. Safi’Jiiva’s theme is absolutely amazing! Thank you 🙏

[@weiss4855]

One thing i didn't see anyone mention after a brief scroll was Safi's Sapphire Star attack not being lined up in the video. The music actually lines up with him flying up and burning the whole arena, channelling for a few seconds and then dropping that blue bead of death, the sudden shift at 9:50 when the music goes quiet is when the star gets dropped. I remember it giving me chills seeing that in the scouting mission.

[@krasussien]

the moment where you can ear the heart beat is when safi'jiva's is targeting you, during the fight, the hunter who deal the most damage is targeted and he's the only one with this song , it's like the monster is so fearsome that the hunter ear nothing around him exept is own heart beat, the fear when you encounter the suprem being and when you become the prey. i just love this fight. the monster feast on the energy coming from the soil, i love this OST and the shara ishvalda too!(sorry for my bad english) i want to say a litle funny fact about the armor from safi'jiva, when you equip 3 piece (or even 5 piece) when you unseath your weapon you got a huge amount of buff (power) from the armor BUT when you attack the armor will consume you, like you said in your video. If you deal enougth damage you will be healed but if not the armor will continu to eat you alive when you attack. that armor make me think about the one in the manga Berserker ! you talk about the "BWOIINNNNGG" song when the hunter is targeted by the monster, for me it's like the hunter instinct who say things like "stay alert, stay focus, keep going" it's sound's for me like a warning. sorry when i talk about something i love i can't stop myself xD. I love your video thank you ! it sad they don't put that much effort into the soundtrack for MH Rise ...

[@samwilkinson9309]

It's wild how I've done this fight, heard the heart beat but I didn't realise the other creepy and intense sounds during the fight, man, now I can see why Safi'jiiva's music scares you. A bit of it early on kinda reminds me of something you'd expect from a movie like Jason and the argonauts but I can't quite put my finger on it.

[@dillansantiago707]

I remember back when Sa'fi first came out. Me and my buddies were grinding the siege and since I play with my music and SFX down I didn't notice the music for the first couple of hunts till one of my friends was like "Yo have you guys actually listened to the the OST...?" And I was blown away with how INCREDIBLE it was. Iceborne's OST is definitely the best one in the series imo.

[@deathound]

Yeah, the music changing during his targeting of you (where it only changes for you and nobody else) sounds like a true strike of primal fear. The sound of your hunter's heartbeat in your ear as this beast of raw power targets you and focuses all it's might to make sure you are DEAD... it's just so awesome and I get chills every time I hear it, it's so damn good XD

[@lea-5082]

After doing this fight for millions of times , the music never gets old , at first the heartbeat sounds ominous and menacing but as you keep attempting it over and over , the thumping becomes a sign of focus. You , your team and this monster are giving them all to win this.

[@leqit_death1337]

Even for me ( A Veteran of Monster Hunter Games) this was a triggering melody for goosebumps. And exactly that is why i still love to play this game after several years.

[@braxtonalan927]

"It sounds like Safi would mutilate you" Yeah, I'd say the pin attack where he holds you in his mouth and fires a beam of Dragon energy THROUGH YOU counts as mutilation.

[@lumina6123]

Man, I used to actually dislike Safi’s theme. But in the second phase, the underlying sounds behind the main theme make me absolutely LOVE it. It makes me feel like, as you said, something isn’t right about all of this. It gives me that feeling of something like Fatalis. That this thing is very, very powerful. If we don’t end it now, who knows what kinds of havoc it could cause. Edit: Forgot to mention the moment that Safi’s ultimate attack literally muffles the music. The first time I noticed that during the fight, I’m pretty sure I actually felt some kind of fear.

[@Alyrael]

I love that low droning bass during the creepy part with the clicking overtop, it feels like there's an immediate looming threat and time is running out.

[@bighank8103]

If you enjoyed the choir/drum combo with electric sprinkled in I think you would like Disufiroa’s theme as well. It’s final theme especially due to the intensity.

[@akshyun8920]

Hi Marco. I just became a member today and wanted to comment something, but I don't really have much to say since I haven't played any monster hunter games. I recently started earning and this is the first channel I've become a member of. I'll just end it by saying, I really love your content and thanks for making such wonderful music analyses for all of us to enjoy.

[@MarcoMeatball]

Omg my absolute pleasure and thank you ❤

[@Chamadzero]

"Let the saphire star guide you... TO HELL!!" *Nukes the arena*

[@sphearix7232]

I honestly never knew the music changed for each individual person targeted by Safi’Jiiva. Kind of amazing how much detail and effort was put into MHWI that goes mainly unnoticed. Also, you should totally review the Dire Miralis theme from Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, “The Black Flame of Calamity”. That song seems right up your alley!

[@nicholaswilliams4598]

Safi's roar and the sapphire star mixed in with this track gives me nothing but chills and goosebumps all over. every damn time.

[@MarcoMeatball]

You're welcome!

[@kamiddani]

if I had to make a guess, I'd say that that heartbeat-like rhythm is so unsettling is because of the much faster, lighter drumbeat that happens underneath it at certain points. it's not there through the whole song, but it's definitely there when you pointed out how unsettled you felt, and to me, it feels like that because that quicker heartbeat is *our* heartbeat. that's your fear, that quick rabbit heartbeat of prey, and the massive drumbeat over it is the pulse of a creature so massive that its heartbeat is louder in your ears than your own. even when everything else goes silent and muted, that pulse is still there. and that is truly terrifying.

[@shinmalestat9272]

Even after nearly three years the opening of this track still gives me shivers.

[@brachydios1230]

YEAAAAAAAH I was hoping this would come up some time!

[@spectralaves]

So glad to see you reacting to this track, it's my absolute favorite from the series. That said, all the reactions to this track are missing the mount theme, which I think is the best version, as the pounding drums and sword-like clashes add even more impact and finality.

[@Shad0w_vt]

I love how they carry the theme of regal presence through the track. The music demands your attention as if announcing the arrival of a king. Safi's theme is by far my favorite from world. Shen tien's theme easily takes the cake for my favorite Monster Hunter theme of all time.

[@mannytprimeministerofthemanate]

Man was whispering at the end just in case Safi jiva was listening

[@MarcoMeatball]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@lumi4178]

I love how Safi has what can be heard as sirens in the background

[@raulbrener6584]

Excellent content Marco, I like so much when a new sound is introduced and you break it down too haha Amazing as always

[@MarcoMeatball]

❤️

[@ichbin3287]

Please do Valstrax's theme next. Safi's theme is so in contrast with his design. Safi looks like a really generic red dragon but Monster Hunter his design is alien to the animal-like and very grounded design that MH presents but his theme is so terrifying and heart pounding that makes his place in the game's world even more breathtaking.

[@axy8428]

Yes, or raging brachydios both are so ficking epic ^^

[@Voidio2454]

It makes sense though, kinda how like fatalis is very generic and his theme is terrifying, safi gets the same treatment.

[@Eterky]

@@axy8428 First time raging brachy went in his last phase I was unprepared... for the last stand and the music who's following it.

[@WisdomAkpan211]

Marco if you're gonna do the valstrax theme react to the mhgu version!

[@Carsu12]

the rule of Monster Hunter is that the more you resemble generic european dragon the more powerful you are

[@zeromailss]

Honestly, one of my favorite bosses to fight in not only Monster Hunter but any game in general Unlike most monsters in Monster Hunter World where they are designed to be hunted solo or with other people, Safi is one of the few monsters that is designed to be hunted by a party of four multiple times by multiple parties. Yes if you use end-game gear with experienced players you can hunt it in one run with just your team alone, but at release and with random or non-veteran hunters then you really have to struggle for 20 minutes of intense boss battles just to weaken and repel it and maybe break some of its parts instead of killing it, after the 20 minutes is over he will run away and you will get some reward and then you have to prepare again for the next fight, back to the camp, get your gears up, replenish your item and fight it again and hopefully this time manage to kill it for you (if it doesn't kill you that is, 3 faint and the mission failed and you have to restart) Despite being a giant Dragon, one of the biggest enemies in this game Safi'Jiva's fight feels a lot more personal than I expected (unlike the silly volcano dragon who is too big to fight properly and just minding its own business by walking around while you run around shooting canon at it tickling his stomach). It will look at you, it will aim for you and shoot its laser beam, it will pin you down and throw you around and it moves fairly quickly with an attack so wide that it affects the whole arena, all four players are engaging in this dance of death where a simple mistake could get you killed or at least close to it and your team has to help by healing you or the next attack would end you for good until it tries to destroy you with its ultimate attack so you have to sheath your weapon quickly and run with your life on the line to find cover and that cover will get incinerated to ashes barely protecting you and then he came back down and the fight continues until either him or your party perish. Absolutely phenomenal, it was everything I ever wanted as a fan of the franchise since the original in PS2 that was released in 2004, playing this in MHW: Iceborne in 2020, it was magical to say the least.

[@MarcoMeatball]

😮

[@UnitA3]

Such a great theme! In a similar fashion, I would love to see your reaction/review in depth of the Kulve Taroth Medley as it tells of a beautiful tale of chasing her in the caverns of El Dorado!

[@leonhart6957]

That Hunt was Amazing!! 😩❤ providing you got good Hunters to do it with

[@pyopyonyo3222]

The sound tricks and changes in vocal used are very interesting. If music itself wasn't this positive and hopeful this could be an awesome thing to listen on Halloween. Also do I hear Gladio's theme there? Battle on the Big Bridge? 0.o

[@michul7850]

You should do Velkhana! The piano and strings are really beautiful

[@pantheggon4008]

I love the ticking sound that goes with the heartbeat to really denote how the quest is on a time limit and you HAVE to slay him. I absolutely adore seeing musucians review the music from world since it's SO amazing.

[@agreebledcube2715]

Once again an abseloutly amazing video thank you so much.

[@justsomejerseydevilwithint4606]

I'm pretty sure it was Max0r who said it, but "I don't know what it is about japan that lets them make better symphonies than THE CONTINENT THAT MADE THEM"

[@Robvirtual]

Everyone has mentioned the heartbeat part when you get its attention and it hounds you down. But honestly my favorite part is its "nuke" attack. Idk if you saw the video or if it was just b-roll. But safi has 1 attack where he does this big spin up into the air and then charges fire in his mouth so much that ground starts to ignite. Then every player has to dive for cover as he drops this tiny little orb that when it hits the ground everything gets incinerated. And when the orb drops even in mid chorus all the sound and music other than the first drops out till the explosion. At which point after the blast the music comes back in full force as soon as safi crashes back down.

[@NavibruhMoment]

GENTLE! SIMPLE! SAILOR! Love your reaction and take on one of my favourite monsters in fiction!

[@RebelGiga]

11:20 i LOVE this part, it's like you've just ran a huge marathon and you can SEE the finish line just around the corner so you give the last bit of distance that final push!

[@tsucho]

For Safi'Jiiva it was VERY overwhelming at the beginning start when knowing almost nothing about this adult Xeno. There's an fan made documentary that almost captures how the hunter, in the case an fan made hunter, would be feeling at the thought; documenting his experiences. Repeated trial after trial being more and more horrid as more monsters are slain. This is by far my most favorite track of MH as I feel general dread and determination on this monster when it came out.

[@handtomouth4690]

You're referring to Oceaniz right?

[@AI-hl5xl]

@Handtomouth should be, oceaniz, ecology of monster hunter world, the forbidden episode, god damm I love that one

[@skeetskeet7041]

“Hey man Rise is such a great game why do you still like World more?” *sorry man, just hits different*

[@Zaciriya]

It makes sense that you get a feeling of hunger and malice, hes literally a space alien dragon that basically evolved into an intelligent demon that literally sucks the life force and energy from the area around it, and its even how it heals itself in game

[@captaincronchy1187]

Safi is one of my favorite hunts from world, as well as being one of my favorite elder dragons. His theme is so damn good, and I love how they incorporated Proof of a Hero into it! If you're going to check out more monster hunter music, I highly recommend Alatreon's theme from world (it has a lovely callback to the main theme of monhun Tri, where Alatreon was first introduced) or Gaismagorms's theme from Sunbreak! I love watching these musical breakdowns :D

[@video6400]

One of the Monster Hunter World themes I heavily recommend reacting to is Shara Ishvalda's theme. It uses unique instruments that you really don't hear in a lot of soundtracks and feels super distinct

[@marshroverv5632]

You know, I find your feelings of discomfort from this theme very interesting in how they're different from my sense, gameplay and narrative-wise, of Safi'jiiva, especially compared to Fatalis, which is a true force of pure evil, and feels just as oppressive and terrifying to fight. Safi'jiiva, gameplay and narrative-wise, actually feels much more... satisfying, majestic, right even, to fight. If you've not played the main story of world, the final boss of the main game is Xeno'jiiva, which at that point is literally a newly-hatched baby, but you have to kill it because it can never be allowed to mature, the ecological impact would be too great, and throughout the fight with Xeno'jiiva you really notice that, from its very clumsy movements and the immense power bursting from within it that it can't really control. It does feel, to a significant extent, almost unsatisfying, you have to kill it because the alternative is an ecological catastrophe of unthinkable scale, but it doesn't really feel like a fair fight. Safi'jiiva, then, IS the mature form of Xeno'jiiva, that thing which should never even be allowed to happen, so of course it's terrifying, but at the same time, it actually feels deeply right, and satisfying, to fight. You're not slaughtering an infant that doesn't even know how to control its own power, you're fighting a mature, majestic beast, with complete control over the immense power within it, and you really get that feeling towards it of "Yes! Let me fight you at your true potential!" Like, finally you have a fair fight with this majestic beast, and I think because of that feeling I have a strong association of majesty and heroism from the theme, rather than the fear and discomfort you get from it.

[@Echo1608.]

Safi's boss battle is so so MUCH FUN FOR ME! Love the music, love the fight, it's one of my favorites. Love your reactions, wonderful video as usual.

[@MarcoMeatball]

🥰

[@GeorgeK340]

Now I know why I love tha last part of this theme. It is a rendition of Proof of a Hero!! Thanks for pointing this out. Safi is my favorite monster because his design is just a basic demonic red dragon.

[@you1027]

Single-best-designed piece of monster content, that actually delivered on every front of "hype beast," the absolute KING of monsters. Majestic, and a gentle simple sailor.

[@OuterWildin]

There’s a theory that Safi’jiiva is an alien from space disguised as an elder dragon, and I think that fits this theme perfectly. In the beginning it sounds majestic and grand as you face off against this powerful elder dragon, this god of your world. Yet as you progress, and as it gets angrier, its facade starts to break. And then it targets you, and through that connection it begins to show its true self. This creature is not what it seems. Through eons, perhaps even millennia, of luring elder dragons to it and feeding off of them, this alien creature began to adapt and change. Through the bio energy of the elder dragons it has consumed, it has disguised itself as an elder dragon. Blending in with the creatures of this world, it has continued to feed off the monsters and land around it, draining them of all life. Slowly and slowly it’s been consuming these lands, growing more powerful. This elder dragon form that you are fighting is merely a thin cloth concealing the true horror underneath. And that’s when the _true_ theme kicks in. You here this unnatural heart beating. The once grand choir is being overpowered by sirens, synth, and other chaotic, unnatural noises just as Safi’jiiva’s grand disguise is being broken to show the true horror underneath. The percussion is frantic, sirens are wailing, and panic starts to set in. The already tense theme becomes chaotic and unpleasant to listen to. You were trained to hunt monsters, not beings from another galaxy. If this thing could potentially rival Fatalis, what can you possibly do to stop it? There’s nothing to stop this alien from consuming this world and moving on to the next. As you realize this, you begin to despair. The true Safi’jiiva as been revealed, and it’s more horrifying than anything you could have possibly imagine.

[@lucastolter6344]

If Safi would manage to Beat black fatalis we would still have His two older Brothers . Plus i think its very likley that it would be easy for fatalis to reach an Arch tempered state Simpley because of how dominant He would be in the new world

[@AI-hl5xl]

@@lucastolter6344 that does brings an important question, how does that world balance this? how does it protect itself from this threat for millions of years before the hunter exists? I'm still interested with the topic of nergigante, if he is truly the hunter of elder dragons, the one who balances the ecosystem, that means we still haven't seen his full potential yet, the potential to hunt even the black and red dragons

[@lucastolter6344]

@@AI-hl5xl it has Been confirmed that He Just does it for His own gains (food and bioenergy to reproduce ) and that If we wouldnt have killed it it would have went on a Killing spree

[@AI-hl5xl]

@Luca Stolter yes, but my question still valid, seeing there's 2 xeno, 1 Safi now, this must not the only time this happened, how was back then, when there's no hunter, the nature, balances this, it's not like Safi made an apocalyptic event that literally destroys the world, there would be no ecosystem left or hunter ever born if that happens

[@lucastolter6344]

@@AI-hl5xl it could be that safis by Nature are Not that agressiv, the lorebook even mentions that they carefully Pick their Fights and they dont need to kill to survive so it could be that it creates perfect ecosystems which Lure many Monsters so it can Feed of their Energy while staying Hidden . Or maybe Safsi and alatreons Just hate each other so they constantly Challenge each other which would Always end in one or even two deaths (based on injuries) which would explain why both species are so rare

[@dorianFUCKINgray]

My big red boi has such a great OST. I absolutely love him. I soloed the whole siege by myself and I'm 100% sure it would've been a thousand times worse without this awesome medley playing. Glad to see you're still reacting to MH music!

[@victorribeiro6772]

This is by far one of my favorite soundtracks in all of the franchise, absolutely amazing and one worthy of seeing in a live concert!

[@connorryan2715]

God this music is so ear pleasingly, brain meltingly, soul touchingly fantastic. I remember they gave a sneak peak of this guy during a title update for a different monster, and my buddy and I were fucking speechless. Safi is, as confirmed by official art books, designed to be the equivalent of Fatalis. Fatalis being the supernatural, kingdom destroying, implied to be cognitively evil boogeyman of Monster Hunter. That Fatalis. And Safi’jiiva is supposed to be his equal. The Red Dragon to Contrast the Black Dragon. He’s a creature that feeds off the bio energy of a whole continent, wielding it so masterfully that he can channel it into attacks and utilize it to heal his own injuries. So mighty that you don’t kill him in a single outing, fighting him in waves, besieging him. Your fight dragging the two of you into the depths of the earth, into what look like the very pits of hell, where his supply of power finally runs dry and the dragon can be slain. It’s a moment a lot of us players will never forget

[@the_ragingviking]

I AM SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY that you reviewed this and broke this song down. Xeno'jiiva's and Safi'jiiva's introduction cutscenes and fights are my tops in terms of enjoyable fights, and possessing songs tailored specifically to those two monsters alone. The whole Safi Raid in itself that comes around every week or two I always run as often as I can. Not because I need parts or materials anymore from the monster, but because of how much fun it is to fight as a group against her size and presence within the space provided. There's definitely critical need within the music that ties so well with the fight itself, especially during specific moments of the raid's mechanics (won't spoil it for those who haven't fought it yet). There's so much intensity in the music. Works incredibly well for how imposing and intimidating Safi'jiiva really is. Sure, Xeno'jiiva, Alatreon, and Fatalis exist, but Safi'jiiva (though it's an "evolution" of Xeno'jiiva) is in a class all of its own. Wonderful review of the theme and song and it's great hearing your responses to it. Especially the beating. That's particular sound plays into the mechanics I mentioned prior, but won't go into too much detail, yet you did pretty much hit the nail square on the head. Thank you for the vid! It was great.

[@alexsavedra3842]

finally been waiting for this episode :)

[@ViralN9]

Oh I've been *waiting* for your reaction to this. The Ire versions of its theme with the synths (at least I'm assuming those are synths, they could be horns) are probably some of my favorite songs in the entire series just because of how uncommon synth usage is in MH. Makes Safi'jiiva feel as alien as capcom probably wanted it to.

[@XIxR3DEEM3RxIX]

The heartbeat situation comes way more effective, if you know the background. When a player does enough damage to Safi'Jiiva, he gets his aggro. Safi focusses on you, shown by a red laser and then the heartbeat is added to the song. This moment, when this BEAST just wants to kill YOU is a scary feeling.

[@rupertkhan2]

Awesome reaction video, loved the reaction! Interesting the demon analysis and I just realized both Safi'Jiiva and Xeno'Jiiva (his previous form) have names similar to Lovecraftian names. More over, xeno means "foreign" or "alien". Finally, Safi is now part of a new category of dragons called "Red Dragons". And it has been recently confirmed they are the opposite to "Black Dragons" (Fatalis, Alatreon, Dire Miralis). Maybe there will be more appearing in the franchise? Again, thanks for the video man, great reactions, great analysis, keep it up!

[@pipporossi5319]

That drums like an heart beat in the 3th fase… The rush for the life and time … Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.

[@DotTheMagpie]

For me this whole theme gets so much better with the roars added in, because they fit in such a way that makes your skin shiver.

[@neronihil1710]

Hell yeah, i was waiting for this one 😁

[@seanbenkuo858]

Yeeees!!And maybe you can try kulve taroth theme full version, it’s absolutely awesome.

[@daneb1890]

Yes!! I’ve been waiting for this one forever!

[@themeow-sician1664]

Safi jivas theme is one of my favorites in the whole franchise where nearly all themes are absolutley amazing. Just his whole fight and the music reflecting the sheer amount of power he has is so crazy. And when you get the focus line and the heartbeat starts its sends chills down my spine and then the big windup for the saphire of the emperor and then the silence is just so good and I could Listen to it all day. Alatreon theme is really good too

[@gajspalt]

Yes dude! Safi is definitely one of the best tracks for a monster ever! Glad you covered it! At 5:13 and what you described as "WooooAAAAHH" sfx to me sounds like an air raid siren going off, commonly associated with and used during threats of imminent danger. Quite unsettling and fitting for such a monster in my opinion.

[@cristianalfonso7594]

ohhh god was waiting for this so much

[@seiryuhigurashi]

Yoo! I’m so happy you listened to another MH track, they’re my absolute favorite games. If you want another musical piece to look at I recommend Gaismagorm like another commenter did or Rajang’s theme.

[@korvus8121]

i love how you explain music in a picture escue way. because of you i stared doing that too. XD

[@MarcoMeatball]

Aw thank you! Yes I just use my imagination while trying to include musical terminology

[@SvnCrown]

Safi'Jiiva and Fatalis themes are where all Capcom budget went for Iceborne, all the work and instruments are so well put together to tell the player they are two of the humanity biggest threats. I hope you can give a chance to Ibush, Narwa and All-mother Narwa themes as well, they are pretty emotional and tell the player a story too.

[@thecringeprophet]

Narwa stinks

[@jccura1487]

That proof of a hero in the third phase is uplifting and as a gunner in the siege run make my focus on point always. And i appreciate the breakdown you make on the music of MonHun

[@jackshadowbrowse]

I LOVE the heartbeat part kicking in in the second phase. Since I'm usually fighting solo it always activates on me (only the player that safi is focused on can hear the heartbeat).

[@nemtudom5074]

8:55 Probably because in the lore its a being of pure energy that only wants to consume and turn all of that into even more energy