Oboreru Sakana

Dadaroma's 'Oboreru Sakana' (Drowning Fish) is a haunting exploration of the suffocating and manipulated nature of modern existence. The song opens with vivid imagery of a fish tank, where spilled ink symbolizes irreversible mistakes and the fish, with their mouths agape, represent beings trapped in a controlled environment. This metaphor extends to the human condition, where people are manipulated and unable to recognize their lack of true freedom. The lyrics critique the commodification of truth and the superficiality of societal interactions, suggesting that even the pain we experience is often insincere or manufactured.

The chorus reinforces this sense of entrapment, comparing humans to fish in a tank and birds in a cage, both confined and unable to escape their restrictive environments. The repetition of '消えて' (disappear) and '暗い' (dark) underscores a pervasive sense of hopelessness and the gradual erosion of genuine emotions like love and hatred. The song suggests that the media, represented by the 'beautiful things on TV,' distorts our perception and numbs our senses, making it difficult to hold onto even the faintest warmth or humanity.

As the song progresses, it delves deeper into the bleakness of contemporary life. The imagery of dust accumulating on lights and the facade of suits highlights the artificiality and deception prevalent in society. The reference to a plane crash and the fleeting nature of media coverage on tragedies points to a desensitized public, quick to forget and move on. The mention of a childhood friend who committed suicide, whose name the narrator can't even remember, further emphasizes the loss of genuine human connection. The song concludes with a chilling invitation to sleep, suggesting that true desires and the real world only come alive in the darkness of night, leaving a lingering sense of unease and reflection on the nature of our existence.