Article by Kagamine_Rin227

So, once a year we have a block of time where we just need to stop and contemplate our choices or the events that have occurred throughout that year. Sometimes, that means rethinking back to the hardships we have paved through and smile at lessons we've learned. Hardships that built us up to be stronger and better. Other times we have to look back at the tragedies that may have occurred, and smile as we see ourselves moving forward even though we may never forget what has been lost. Throughout this year, a few notable songs have definitely shone through and really presented this thought splendidly and effortlessly. Accompanied by the songs came beautiful renditions that exhibit immense emotion and that made the song even greater than it originally was.

Proof Of Life, CherryQ- https://youtu.be/2NL3REcEUw0
The song in general is a touching story about two siblings, Rin and Len. The two love each other but unfortunately, one winter, Rin falls ill. They soon understand the sickness is fatal and that she doesn't have very much time left to spend with him. In her last moments of life all she wants is to sing a few more joyous songs with Len as proof that she had once lived and existed. She asks him to smile and move on, continue to be happy. She thanks him for all the happiness he had given her and asks him to carry on. In the rendition by CherryQ, not only have they transcribed the lyrics accurately and beautifully as if an original but, the emotions that can clearly be felt and conveyed through the singer's vocals are beautiful. In this rendition you can feel the love between the two siblings, and in the background, Len's grief over the matter. You can feel Rin's sadness over the fact that she has to leave him but at the same time her satisfaction with the life she had and her yearning for Len to continue on as satisfied and fine as she.

Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Ruby- https://youtu.be/1HjMByn4S0A
As if the title doesn't say enough, the entirety of the song can be summarized with the line, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!' and in general is a strong statement that 'no matter how many times I get hurt, I'll pick myself up and keep looking forward!' Now, Ruby isn't a very well-known Vocaloid, but she's a good one! The American Vocaloid really takes flight in this song, singing with a fiery passion that hasn't been seen in very many Vocaloid songs. Unlike most 'person to Vocaloid' songs, you can actually feel the emotion radiating from this song. It's as if Ruby is actually right by you and claiming that her hardships only bring her forth, further into the light; building a stronger and better her. No matter what you throw at her, she will learn from it and she can certainly move on without falter and with absolute confidence!

Answer, Lizz- https://youtu.be/Qpe3CzI8oHc
The sequel to "Just Be Friends". It just doesn't feel right to have Just Be Friends and not have Answer in the same playlist. The song is a literal slap in the face, telling you that you just need to let go and move on; even though you'll continue to remember, maybe even miss, the beautiful past you can still say that it was made to be put in the there for a reason. Only because of the past can we understand further, we just have to embrace the things life puts us through and embrace the outcome's lesson. Sure, there will be pain and regret, but we just have to leave it behind. In this version, the English translations are precise and wondrous. It portrays the song beautifully as if it were an original; the vocals also sound so happy but at the same time...sad. It was like her actions hurt her but would later benefit, which is the exact message the song was made to carry.

Basically, nothing is perfect. Life is made out of sorrows and we just have to accept that. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean all sorrows are bad, we need to pave on from our problems and learn something new from them. This upcoming New Year, let us look back at our problems with a newborn confidence and be able to proudly declare that we are better because of them!