Zansakura -zanka-

Zansakura -zanka- (残桜 -zanka- lit. Remaining Cherry Blossoms -zanka-) is a character song performed by Megumi Ogata as Nagito Komaeda.

It was released on August 3rd, 2016 as a B-side single alongside Zettai Kibō Birthday. There is also a karaoke version. According to Ogata, Zansakura -zanka- is how Nagito feels on the inside, while the other song is how he feels outside.

The lyrics appear to be Nagito's metaphorical descriptions of his own life and thoughts, with him being a withering, broken branch which is left behind alone. The song describes short-lived cherry blossoms, which are an enduring metaphor for mortality and the ephemeral nature of life in Japan. The Japanese also reckon the cherry blossom is the most beautiful not when it is in full bloom, but when it starts to wither and fall.

Interestingly, Nagito keeps mentioning ordinary life, which he claims to dislike. In Super Danganronpa 2.5: Nagito Komaeda and the Destroyer of the World, it is indeed confirmed that he wishes to live ordinary life, as his imaginary world reflects this desire and one of the many possible outcomes his life could have taken. However, he denies this.

Trivia

 * The "flower raft" (花筏) is a term Japanese poets used to describe cherry blossoms densely scattered on the surface of the river water.
 * In the song, Nagito describes himself as a broken branch. The word "branch" (枝) in the song is the same word as "eda" (枝) in his last name.

Navigation
Remaining Cherry Blossoms -zanka-