The MOST Painful Theme From The Promised Neverland

[@CharlesCornellStudios]

I can't say I was particularly familiar with The Promised Neverland when I started learning about this piece and the anime as a whole. Needless to say...I was like "excuse this show is about WHAT?" 😂

[@zevelgamer.]

Charles is joining the dark side😢 We will miss you😭

[@undertaker3134]

Yep, interesting premise with tragic character figures . The music is just part of all the atmosphere. Easily will be adapted as a western live action TV series in the future. Hope you put out a detailed video about the music and mystery of Made in Abyss.

[@EvaFuji]

season 2 doesn't exist season 2 doesn't exist season 2 doesn't exist season 2 doesn't exist...

[@xavierignatiuscordeiro8336]

Indeed! It was the second anime I ever watched, and boy, I was not prepared for it. If I can make a recommendation, if you want to finish the whole story, watch season 1, then read the rest in Manga form. They really messed up the second season and squeezed what should’ve been 3-4 seasons’ worth of the story into just one.

[@ghintz2156]

I know you're a music guy, but if you do watch season 1 I highly recommend reading the manga for the rest of the series. It's an amazingly clever and philosophical story.

[@TainoMoya]

Isabellas lullaby is peak music haunting and relaxing like herself. a mother who can warm your soul to sleep, but has mysteries of her own lurking deep within

[@al3xm1lner]

It's so cool how you can decifer the meaning of the music with the way the chords are structured

[@maxhaibara8828]

Yeah! Music theory is cool! You can really tell whether a music was written really really well by people who knows music theory.

[@kozmobluemusic]

never seen series this but it seems that using the mixolydian b6 can evoke a very mysterious and confusing feeling, because of its major third implying a major feel, but a flat sixth implying a minory feel

[@Reino_X]

@@kozmobluemusic well thats a five chord, and what your saying is true, but I find this chord to feel jazzy and unresolved (due to the tritone)

[@kdsalinas88]

Well put together music makes you FEEL! Everything matters when putting it together!

[@SenseofNoneYT]

Well said. It perfectly encompasses Isabella. You go from liking her, to curious, to terrified, to curious again, to sadness. Adding layers upon layers on her character. I honestly forgot how good this was. Thanks for bringing it to mind once again. It's gonna haunt me.

[@trackernivrig]

It's still crazy to me how quickly this show went from a modern classic to being completely forgotten

[@ChespinCraft]

Thats what happens when you make one of the worst second seasons of all time

[@richardzhuang5958]

So sad they didn't follow the manga pacing

[@user-dj9iu2et3r]

@@richardzhuang5958I feel like even if they had, while it would have been WAY better, many people would have still been disappointed because of how the ABSOLUTELY PERFECT vibe of the first season/arc changes into something different entirely.

[@1.4142]

The reason is summarized by veritasium's latest video.

[@user-dj9iu2et3r]

@@1.4142 huh?

[@kcsupersonic1]

If you like "Isabella's Lullaby" for how it creates this contrast between darkly mournful and yet hopefully beautiful, then you would love "Hanezeve Caradhina," from the anime, Made in Abyss. It makes use of background vocals too in order to create this haunting feel that carries with it similar hopeful yet mournful notes.

[@SOYSOUCSE]

One of my favorite tracks from any anime

[@samirSch]

"Isabella had Ray's courage, Norman's inteligence and Emma's optimism. But she was alone".

[@ot7biasedmashups]

Isabella's Lullaby is absolute PEAK I just walk around singing it all the time. I've even got the song AND the instrumental in my go to playlist.

[@munzutai]

This is an excellent breakdown of the *harmony* but what has always been standing out to me even more is actually the *melody* . Charles commented on its beauty a couple times but, for me, it's the star of the show. It doesn't hide behind any fancy decorations, making it so lean, naked, vulnerable, and intimate. At the same time, it spans a wide vocal range with such tasteful and dramatic leaps, giving it an incredibly poetic suspense curve. I'm usually more a harmony kind of guy so this melody just transcends me. Absolute masterclass in melodic writing that many people can learn a lot from.

[@ciriceofaether4271]

Would you be interested in the music for "Made in Abyss"? It is one of my personal favorite soundtracks, and I completely understand if you have other requests to catch up on 😅😅

[@samhill6444]

This 👆

[@beejazz3185]

@@samhill6444Kevin Penkin on top but I like the soundtrack of land of lustrous more.

[@elliot_trent55]

everyone needs to like this comment

[@galaxywizard8904]

Gonna add a recommendation for Tower of God's soundtrack too. Kevin Penkin's music is absolutely amazing.

[@bananabread427]

Can't wait for him to listen to it, he's gonna be in awe listening to VOH

[@eldkir]

I love all this haunting, melancholy, dark stuff. BEAUTIFUL!

[@ssjdre]

I'm so happy you have beautifully broken down how complex and amazing this song is. I believe that this is a highly underrated piece of music.

[@dubitataugustinus]

I'm so happy you did this one! It's so beautiful and haunting, definitely a highlight of the show, and a melody that lives in my head rend free...

[@nika-chan5387]

I actually can't even put into words how much this melody means to me. Its the most beautiful thing ive ever heard

[@kcsupersonic1]

Hearing this particular theme for the first time watching the show, my immediate sense listening to it was that it was kind of like a darker version of "Leaving Hogwarts," from the Harry Potter films. Isabella's Lullaby has quite a bit of whimsy and fantasy to it but it is all tinged in darkness and melancholy. "Leaving Hogwarts," is all about bittersweet nostalgia while this theme sounds more like mourning over what could have been while still trying to be comforting in the moment.

[@penguindrum264]

I hope Takahiro Obata and the industry sees how popular his pieces continue to be. I and many more want to hear his music in more popular series. He mostly writes music for kids anime now, maybe he makes more doing that because they have more episodes than a single cour.

[@MrTeamain]

I could reccomend, Kevin Penkin's works on Made In Abyss, it's as beutiful and saddning in a way. I highly reccomend it.

[@bananabread427]

Kevin penkin the australian GOAT

[@MrTeamain]

@@bananabread427 The ABSOLUTE GOAT, THE ONE AND ONLY GOAT

[@ciriceofaether4271]

@@MrTeamain 100% I want to have "Prushka Sequence" at my wedding 😅😅

[@MrTeamain]

@@ciriceofaether4271 understandably so

[@gavinmorton7682]

picking up anime music on this channel was a god-tier move. this song is so good

[@noepuna9008]

LETS GOOOOO!! BEEN waiting for this one!!!

[@MrKiddThe7th]

I immediately recognised Sarah Álainn in the video but had no idea she worked on the show until now. Thanks for enlightening me on even more of her work

[@kongmusicpiano]

Such an amazingly beautiful piece, and a perfect analysis. That G Natural (Natural 6th) really is the big star in this piece, giving us curveballs in both the ascending and descending phase. That moment in particular 15:46 is such a great technique of subverting our expectations. Can’t remember off the top of my head but there must be a few other pieces (probably Japanese) that uses this exact same progression of moving down to the Natural 6th like this. Anyway, great job as always Charles. Always a joy to listen to your analysis

[@woodchuck498]

Such a beautiful composition and performance by the musicians in the original recording. Thank you so much for introducing many of us to this lesser-known work and as always, your in depth analysis is on point and incredibly accessible to those of us non-music majors. Keep up the great work and thank you so much for helping make music easier for others to understand!

[@TheSigner1]

This piece right here - because of pieces like this I started composing. What a magnificent melody that accompanies beautiful chords. The intro, the way it builds up to the main melody and resolves back to the intro at the end...you described it way better than I could. I would totally love to see how you analyze the music of NieR:Automata, one of the finest musical compositions I have ever heard in any media! Thank you for videos like this!

[@Amarand]

Wow! Goosebumps in the first few chords of the opening!

[@williambeanstein8581]

Never clicked faster

[@Noone-ue6xo]

fr fr 😂❤

[@brohanime]

to anyone who has been inspired to watch the show after seeing this video, and to those who have only ever seen the anime: i implore you to read the manga. season one of the promised neverland is a fantastic and quite accurate representation of the manga story; however, season two is a complete injustice. i would strongly suggest watching season one and then reading the manga, completely ignoring season two. the soundtrack is absolutely stunning so watching the first season is worth it. also, i absolutely loved this video's exploration of why this hauntingly beautiful song is so effective. i couldn't quite articulate to myself why i loved this piece so much, but this video does an amazing job of it.

[@thatboxlion]

I WAS GONNA ASK YOU TO DO THIS! This is one of the best in my opinion, I’m so glad you covered it.

[@cooldebt]

Thanks for looking at this beautiful tune. The description of hauntingly beautiful is what I've always thought and the vocal melody is amazing.

[@Noone-ue6xo]

wow, i really loved this tune years ago. love that you deconstructed this song, brought so much nostalgia ❤

[@Blankstate]

This is one of my favorite songs to come out of... Well, anything. It makes me really happy to see you break it down the way you do, I love it. :D

[@Hadri_ART]

If this shocked you, you should see "made in abyss" next

[@user-dj9iu2et3r]

I don’t think he actually watches the anime he covers, does he? I think he just reads up on it for context.

[@Hadri_ART]

@@user-dj9iu2et3r yeah probably

[@kratosdad1760]

man i love this guys passion for music, it really helps his message get across

[@TheCJCarl]

“What’ll I Do?” by Irving Berlin uses similar chords and chord progression. Done well, it’s haunting, heartbreaking, and painfully beautiful. Rarely done well (many make it too contemporary jazz), but when kept simple and pure, matches this tune you’ve analyzed. It’s my favorite of all time.

[@anthonyquote1593]

Sometimes i get lost but his reactions keep my hyped through the whole video hahah

[@ericbnielsen]

If you watch Promised Neverland just watch the first season believe me. I would love to see a video about Made in Abyss great music and one of my favorite anime.

[@nomannic1]

Im so glad that you watched the show and loved the music!! I love how the music fit well with the peomised neverlands themes!!

[@isidorocosentino5681]

The music of the video game Gris needs your analysis it’s so critical to telling that story

[@soundslikesony]

yess omg i love gris, everything is exceptional, the art, the message, the music, story, just a really good game

[@epochy]

Just watched 'The Promised Neverland' a few days ago because of the theme, and now you are dropping a breakdown on it! So cool)) Thanks, Charles!

[@e17theconsumer]

hey charles! my girlfriend, who knows nothing about jazz, randomly pointed out to me how good the bear and the big blue house theme is. i highly recommend it, it’s some incredible stuff!

[@cooldebt]

I second this. My kids used to sing along enthusiastically - they loved the harmonies.

[@zammerman9424]

One of my favorite anime. Made me appreciate the show even more. Music from Fairy Tail or SAO would be my vote for next anime to cover.

[@KOPENOOPE]

Hey Charles i've been listening to movie soundtracks alot and i got addicted to Ryuchi Sakamoto, specially one of his songs named “Merry Christmas Mr Lawarence” titled as the movie’s name itself i would love if you could make a video analysing this piece in the future, ty for all the effort and passion you put into all these videos to integrate us all in the inside world of Music.

[@Hotel-e4m]

the minor fourth is easily my fav chord

[@ludienepilarte7940]

Finally been waiting for this video for years. Amazing content as always!!

[@doodlemunchkin2222]

Yeessss!! You did the Promised Neverland!! The next best recommendation I can give you since you liked this one is the Made In Abyss soundtracks. There are three in total: 2 seasons and one for the movie. And they’re practically all balls to the wall amazing honestly. It’s been on repeat for me for years now and I can’t seem to put any of them down. It’s another dark twist fantasy anime involving kids against impossible odds and a cruel world..a bit like The Promised Neverland, so just a fair warning if you look into it lol.

[@faizfakhri9563]

omg this is one of my top anime. the manga is even better right up to the end of the story. it's right up there on my list and one of the reason is because of the ost. i'm soooo glad you covered this. Thank you :"""")))

[@SirRob24]

You should check out the Tsubasa Chronicles anime/soundtrack. It was composed by famous Japanese composer Yuki Kajiura. The music goes so well with the show. One (of many) song to check out would be I Talk To The Rain. The show is kind of like Kingdom Hearts but with CLAMP characters. So the two main characters are alternate reality versions of Sakura and Syaoran from Cardcaptors.

[@Hollycb12]

I also absolutely love the minor iv chord too, Charles

[@maru_aska]

It's very interesting to explain the animation direction from sound design! Thank you for the wonderful video.

[@ericm1373]

Thank you so much for this video Charles! I love the music of the promised neverland so much. It would be awesome if you could check out some other songs from the show, like the main theme, Norman’s theme or Ray’s theme!

[@Toasted_bread37]

Finally covering this beautiful melody! Good stuff

[@ElDragow]

The greatest first season of a show ever.

[@b0unce805]

Great story and great music, I enjoyed this breakdown a lot! Top tier thematic development here

[@amazingwormy8453]

Music and the show is peak. Need season 2 asap!

[@frediliofili7259]

No bro it ended at season 1. we don't talk about season 2 🤫

[@greywolf9783]

​@@frediliofili7259Season 2 was good progression from Season 1's dark yet hopeful story I'm sorry if you only wanted the feeling and I must admit damn near perfect story of Season 1 man.

[@kwabzycomposer]

YAY I'm so happy you checked this one out, what a gorgeous and tragic piece!

[@Lily-w5q]

So glad you are doing an older anime!

[@HansMartinHammer]

The four chord has such power in a progression. Whether it's a major four chord in a minor key or a minor four chord in a major key, they change the whole dynamic.

[@bluee048]

royal road progression the best chord ever

[@EJL88]

Sarah Àlainn is a presenter on Kabuki Kool on NHK and instrumentalist. Violin I think. Multitalented lady. 👍🏼

[@JeroenBaxexm]

most insane lullaby of all time..sobbing for sure

[@rossjamestobitt]

This song always makes me harken back to Full Metal Alchemist's OST, mainly Trish's Lullaby which you already covered but also Bratja which I don't think you have? Worth revisiting in the future perhaps and comparing the best melancholy Anime themes and how they compare. Also Frieren's OST!!!

[@bananabread427]

Cannot recommand Evan Call enough, he's just too good

[@cooldebt]

I discovered the beautiful Bratja via The Consouls cover - one of my favourite tunes. And I think you are right that Charles did not cover it - it would be great if he did!

[@yonatanmoritz]

One of the prettiest themes I've ever heard. So haunting, so beautiful.

[@user-dj9iu2et3r]

After watching you break it down it’s a very “Radiohead” chord progression and melody. I could totally see Thom Yorke doing his own spin of it and having it feel right at home. Radiohead loves the minor IV and the second half of the phrase reminds me of “Pyramid Song.”

[@MadailinBurnhope]

never seen this anime, it sounds incredible; straight on my watch list!

[@toonbax3]

Highly recommend the 1st season! Don't bother with the 2nd

[@zenith110]

I discovered this song on a whim one day going through music on YT and I was moved to tears from the piece. I didn't know the association with the anime or the rest of it. Regardless, it's a beautiful piece. If my hands weren't as picky with when they want be cooperative, I'd try to learn it on guitar.

[@bryanatkinsonmusic]

I have goosebumps with this theme, thanks Charles!

[@basedskylar]

this show is so good, you should definitely give it a watch as well

[@ParsevalMusic]

perhaps for the first time in years I understood what tell a story by music means thanks to you.

[@SolarPhoenix3]

Unravel - Tokyo Ghoul. Also you should check out animenz cover of Unravel.

[@cooldebt]

Charles looking at Animenz would be very, very interesting!

[@rafa1st]

Hi there! I'm absolutely fascinated by your channel and your ability to identify and articulate the emotions embedded within music. It's something that everyone can feel, but you have a unique talent for translating the entire concept behind a piece of music and the emotions it evokes. Thank you so much for sharing your gift with the world. I would be thrilled if you could analyze some of the soundtracks from the Castlevania video game series. There are some truly remarkable compositions in this franchise that deserve your insightful commentary. See ya.

[@Royalord512]

I have been dealing with a lot of grief in the past years... Watching Vinland Saga, I felt like the music of the show (the piano pieces mostly) encapsulates the experience of grief and the sort of melancholic peace that comes with it in such a fantastic way. Perhaps it is just because the show itself revolves around grief and how to carry it with you. But regardless it would be great if you want to cover it :)

[@Beatsnpumps]

My favourite Anime, how it moves emotions and story twists. You just described it perfectly at the end.

[@bluee048]

my fav theme frrrr

[@herelizasaint]

The opening theme for the anime Break Blade (or Broken Blade) is also quite beautiful. It is called Fate by Kokia. It starts out kind of soft and just builds and grows. The anime never got completed, unfortunately. I would still suggest giving it a listen, even if you don't do a video on it because it is beautiful in its own right.

[@sandeegrey5977]

This guy's channel is awesome!

[@just4goat]

Any and all Kevin Penkin next!

[@santiagogonzalezortiz3735]

Brother, you're teasing us. Let it resolve 😭😭

[@JD-xo3xz]

Can I just forego all the Mary had a little lamb lessons, and go straight to this?

[@redgit9905]

Oh my god, this theme is gorgeous.

[@phrogggo]

Old stories from made in abyss is one of my all time favs, you should definitely check it out!

[@Aer_333]

13:26 I felt this chord transition in my soul

[@vlowolvtake1797]

Around 8:00 minutes you sorta describe Japanese basic story telling (when you expressed "that's weird". Storytelling described in 4 phases : beginning - something happens - a twist - resolution (起承転結). By something happens it can mean to spread or deepen the setting, something wrong is introduced. There's an article on Wikipedia.

[@MelsoM_Music]

The chorus of this song makes my eyes wet each time...😢

[@DanielFromThePast]

I would absolutely LOVE to hear your thoughts on the Neon Genesis Evangelion ost. There's a lot of very fun and interesting music that's written for the first half of the series, and it gets more experimental as the show progresses (just as the style and tone of the show does). I think you'd have a good time with it!

[@cooldebt]

I'd also recommend the cover of Thanatos and A Cruel Angel's Thesis by The Consouls

[@ជួងសុវណ្ណគីរីរាជ្យ]

This music still made me Feel it

[@thelostdog]

Good choice for a piece to talk about. TOP OF THE TOP harmony. overlooked a bit in the anime music world.

[@SimsElo98]

Spoilers : I've red all the mangas and then watched the anime. Season 1 was incredible (Isabella's last goodbye with her hair flowing through the wind gave me chills), season 2 wasn't... at least for my taste. I think the manga is self sufficient, perfect the way it is. But the anime brings a little something : this music. I always cry when I listen to it. Isabella was by far my favourite character because of her complexity, of the contradiction between her careness and her violence, she's so emotional and yet had to be so cold hearted to survive. She never lived since she learnt what happens to the children - when she still was one herself. But she chose to survive, even if that meant she needs to be part of this horror. It's awful, but I can't blame her, and to be honnest I kinda admire her strengh to support this burden knowing that she would become someone she could not forgive or love. And still, in her broken heart, there is a sparkle of hope remaining : she may not escape, but the children she raises may could. This is what this lullaby is all about : you can experience love beyond despair, and even in the deeper darknesses, hope always awaits. Leslie wrot it to her and she then gave it to her children so they could do what she never could herself : live. Sorry for my English, I hope at least you get the idea!

[@themelancholyofgay3543]

it stuck on my mind even if im not aware

[@lukaesten]

I love your videos and I'm a pianist (amateur😅) myself and I learn something new every time. Could you please do a song from Kingdom hearts (best game soundtrack in my opinion) or for the anime theme, Inuyasha?

[@frediliofili7259]

Inuyasha is goated

[@Aer_333]

I’ve been listening to this song on repeat since stumbling across it. It has a little bit of a Middle Eastern feel at the very beginning.

[@EvaFuji]

I'm still waiting for that Monogatari ost analysis Charlie

[@jiemileng7745]

I was just listening to this recently often and now I see this

[@coulditbejc]

I'd love to see you dive into the music of Carole and Tuesday, personally.

[@abiggs4828]

I’m 1:15 in, and it finally connected how to start Tifa’s Theme from FF7. Of course, I’m an absolute musical layman, who relies pretty much solely on my ear, but as soon as I heard the chord transition, I stopped doing the dishes and ran to the piano

[@Kekoapono]

Why is some of the most beautiful music written for video games and Japanese TV shows? With video game music in particular, I think of Austin Wintory and Gareth Coker in particular. And while I don't know who wrote the OSTs for most anime that I've watched, I love that music as well. It's truly a shame that this music isn't more widely known. Instead, WAP and its ilk are trending at the top, or at least close to it. More people need to listen to music as covereed in this video.

[@IvoryMadness.]

I didn't knew this anime, it's looks really interesting! Great video as always! 👏👏👏

[@munzutai]

The first season is peak cinema. As long as you don't watch the second season, it will remain in your mind as one of the best anime you've seen.

[@tanuzzoproduction5976]

The equivalent of the first season in the manga has been created in about 6 years if I’m not wrong, the whole second part of the story has been rushed much more and the anime just made it worse. But the first season is👌👌👌 Probably one of the best things I’ve ever seen, if you really want i suggest you to watch the first season and then if you want to know how the story finishes just read the manga from that point on.

[@Happyshsjsn]

@@munzutaisad but true. Got to the first episode of the second season and couldnt watch it after that 💀

[@ianrenier449]

The start of the song gave me some big Ori and the blind Forest vibes, maybe that's also interesting to look into!

[@claus4461]

is it like a rule that all titles named "lullaby" have to be the saddest pieces of music ever conceived? I've recently been listening to Kevin Penkin and his Belaf Lullaby drove me to tears in not even three minutes

[@pianooctopus765]

1:38 I'm going to say it's not the iv chord, but rather that the opening of the piece is in Eb minor, and the opening notes are making the V7 chord. Then later, does a "key change" to Bb minor.

[@therandommusicguy4773]

Petition for season 2 to be wiped from existence and redone