My War /我的戰爭 （進擊的巨人 最終季 OP）-神聖放逐樂隊

「Boku no Sensou」or 「My war」 is probably the most crazy opening song I have heard in a while and all I could think of was “Anime OP, but presented as a death march”. Because we are now entering the endgame of the epic story of Attack on Titan and it has one prevailing topic: War.

Although the arrangement doesn’t sound that complicated, it is actually one of my most difficult pieces I have uploaded for a long time. The constant polyphony in many parts of this arrangement is probably the main reason why it is so technically challenging to play, because you have to balance the voices well and emphasize certain melodies if it’s needed.

I also started to utilize the “four hand” technique: Basically, each hand is playing two layers of melody at the same time. For example, the intro part in 00:08 has actually 4 instrumental layers: the right hand is playing the C#-C-C#-G# “Bell” sound and the higher “Choir” voice while the left hand is playing the bassline and a fast, rhythmic pattern, imitating the “drums”.

I could hear at least 6 different musical layers in the chorus part in 01:14 and it was hard for me to decide, which melody I should prioritize and which one I can omit. I tried to combine as many layers as possible with my 2 hands (I really, really wish I have 3 hands) to imitate the overwhelming atmosphere of the original song.

Btw, the “bell” ostinato C#-C-C#-G# motif in 00:01 reminds me of “Dies Irae” (Day of Wrath), an ancient hymn usually sung as a part of a Requiem, aka a Mass for the Dead. Which fits in pretty nicely for Attack on Titan, since the Opening animation is displaying nothing but War, destruction and regeneration. (笑)

Last but not least: This arrangement also serves as my personal piano etude, because it features many piano techniques which I am actually bad at. For example, the fourth runs in 02:45, the double hand jumps in 01:30, the very uncomfortable left hand pattern in 00:07 and the polyphonic rhythms in 01:37. I was really challenging all my “weak points” this time, because the only way I can improve my piano technique is to leave my comfort zone. I guess I will never learn enough as an pianist.

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🎹Piano arrangement by Animenz

Original Song: Boku no Sensou (My war) / 僕の戦争

Anime: Attack on Titan: The Final Season / 進撃の巨人 The Final Season

Published by: PONY CANYON (2021)

Composed by: Noko / の子

Performed by: Shinsei Kamattechan / 神聖かまってちゃん

🎧Equipment

Piano: Nord Grand 88-key Stage Keyboard (Modified blue version)

Camera: Panasonic LUMIX GH5S