Yumekui Shirokuro Baku

Kagamine Len's song 'Yumekui Shirokuro Baku' delves into the mystical and somewhat eerie world of dreams and desires. The protagonist, who identifies as a 'yumekui shirokuro baku' (a dream-eating black and white tapir), offers to consume the nightmares of a troubled individual, promising them peace and comfort. This character is a reference to the mythological Baku, a creature in Japanese folklore known for devouring dreams and nightmares. The song's lyrics create a vivid narrative where the Baku interacts with a young lady, offering to take away her fears and grant her sweet dreams in exchange for her trust and, ultimately, her soul.

The song explores themes of escapism and the allure of dreams as a refuge from reality. The Baku's promise to eat away the nightmares and replace them with pleasant dreams can be seen as a metaphor for the human desire to escape from the harshness of reality. However, this escape comes at a cost. The repeated promises and the eventual revelation that the protagonist's actions lead to a monochrome world suggest that indulging too deeply in fantasies can result in losing touch with reality. The 'monokuro no sekai' (monochrome world) symbolizes a life devoid of true color and vibrancy, a consequence of being consumed by one's own desires and dreams.

The song also touches on the concept of consent and the consequences of one's choices. The young lady willingly enters into a pact with the Baku, symbolized by a 'yubikiri' (pinky promise) and later a kiss. These acts of agreement highlight the idea that the individual is complicit in their own fate. The final lines, where the Baku welcomes the listener to a monochrome world, serve as a stark reminder that the pursuit of dreams without regard for reality can lead to a bleak and unfulfilling existence. Kagamine Len's haunting vocals and the song's ethereal melody enhance the overall atmosphere, making 'Yumekui Shirokuro Baku' a thought-provoking piece on the delicate balance between dreams and reality.