Name: Anonymous 2014-10-22 21:21
-Authors Note: This article is an interpretation of the touhou fan song, cirno's perfect math class, which can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNeyqFfXf7k.
Yesterday I listened to the song cirno's perfect math class on youtube due to a friends recommendation. After first hearing it i assumed it to be a silly pointless and random youtube parody, aiming for irony and a humerus reaction. However after listing to the song a few dozen more times i realized that this was not the case at all. After throughly analyzing the lyrics of the song I discovered a deeper, darker meaning behind the songs seemingly innocent words. The song cirno's perfect math class is in fact, an expression of cirnos inner thoughts and conflicts as she struggles with a drug addiction.
For those of you who are not familiar with the lyrics of the song i will post the English translation here:
1. Everybody! Cirno's math class is about to begin!
To become a genius like me, do your best!
2. A sparkling diamond, like a shining star
Glory, my preferred school, I'll get in somehow
Genius, prodigy, aim for the top, GO GO!!
3. IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
Wait, no, I'm not an idiot!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
The one saying idiot is the idiot!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
What, how annoying! You idiot!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
4. A bus left the Scarlet Devil Mansion; three people boarded at the start
At Hakugyokurou, one left and half a person boarded
At Yakumo-San's house, two people left; so how many passengers in total?
The answer is, the answer is, zero people, zero people
That's because, that's because,
There are no buses in Gensokyo!
5. There's not any climax, point, or meaning.
Everything will be OK as long as the character settings are fine 'n good
With energy, everything is 1, 2, 9
6. The clock's hands are whirling, my head is spinning round
Because there are only two round eyeballs,
There are three needles, it's as clear as mud
7. Problem after problem comes out; Still, still, the lesson continues
In the frozen-aired room
Without considering the temperature or time
Take it easy!
8. IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
IDIOT IDIOT!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
IDIOT IDIOT!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
Fine, call me an idiot! I don't care anymore!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
The intro to the song is Cirno's flash back to the time before drugs ruined her life, back when she thought of herself as a "genius"(1). However the next stanza shows later on how the pressure of getting in to her "preferred school" and trying to be a "Genius/prodigy" have worn Cirno, as drugs begin to seem like "a sparkling diamond, like a shining star", something that could save her from the confusion and guide her. The line "sparkling diamond" could also be taken more literally, suggestion LCD(2). The third stanza is the first in which various characters insult cirno, repeatedly calling her BAAKA (idiot). However, as it turns out, these insults are not coming from other people, but cirno's own conscience. As her drug use begins to grow into an addiction, she begins to doubt her own intelligence and struggles with her perception of herself(3). The next stanza conveys a simple word problem, which cirno interprets to be a trick. This symbolizes cirno's growing paranoia as she tries to keep her activities secret. Meanwhile, the bus in the word problem is a metaphor for leaving her addiction behind. No matter how many supposedly people boarded or left the bus (broke their addictions) there are still no people on it as (according to Cirno) it doesn't exist; Cirno's believes it is impossible for her to break her addiction (4). This idea finally comes the surface in what is probably the most strait forward line in the song. Cirno believes that there is no point, climax, or meaning for life. She convinces herself that everything will be OK as long as she doesn't get caught (the character settings are fine 'n good). The last line of this stanza shows how drugs are the only thing that lifts her depression and gives her a rush, going from 1 to 9 (5). Stanza six deals with Cirno finally being caught. Cirno's head is spinning and time seems to have slowed down. She notices she had left out three needles (which she had presumably used to shoot heroine). She knows that the Two round eyeballs (one person), must have saw them. All this time Cirno has been counting on her problem remaining a secret, now that it is discovered, she doesn't know what to do (6). Rumors of Cirno's drug-use have undoubtedly circulated through the school, and Cirno's addiction is no longer a secret. Despite this, life (and school) continue to happen around her (Problem after problem comes out; Still, still, the lesson continues). She feels as if there is cold air to the room, as if no one wants to talk to her, or perhaps she doesn't want to talk to any one. However, without caring about the stigma now surrounding Cirno, or how well they know her (Without considering the temperature or time), a friend comes to comfort Cirno, telling her to "Take it easy"(7). The final stanza of the song repeat the third, with Cirno's conscience telling her how dumb it was to screw up her life with drugs. However, Cirno now acknowledges this, but does not care anymore because she has finally gotten back on the right track. Cirno will probably always wish she could go back and redo the years she lost to drugs, however by a acknowledging that she has a problem, she has take the first step toward getting help and leaving her past behind(8).
Although the song Cirno's perfect math class seems to be random and silly, it becomes clear that there is a deeper meaning to the song. This tale of expression fallowing Cirno's thoughts as she struggles with a drug addiction, is a perfect example of how many songs must be analyzed before there true meaning can be truly known. The depiction of Cirno as a drug (specifically LCD and heroine) addict ties in perfectly with the themes of stress and desperation that are often associated with the magical girl genre, notably the Madoka Magica series. Furthermore, this song opens up for analysis many other aspects of the Cirno character. Are Cirno's wings truly ice crystals, or perhaps a reference to certain crystal drugs such as meth. and LSD. In addition, Cirnos character name can be traced back to the Greek/Latin roots cirr (orange) and nu (innuendo). As oranges is a common slang term for amphetamines (as well as other drugs: http://www.noslang.com/drugs/search.php?st=orange&submit=Search), the name Cirno suggests an experimentation with drugs. However, this speculation goes beyond the scope of this article.
Yesterday I listened to the song cirno's perfect math class on youtube due to a friends recommendation. After first hearing it i assumed it to be a silly pointless and random youtube parody, aiming for irony and a humerus reaction. However after listing to the song a few dozen more times i realized that this was not the case at all. After throughly analyzing the lyrics of the song I discovered a deeper, darker meaning behind the songs seemingly innocent words. The song cirno's perfect math class is in fact, an expression of cirnos inner thoughts and conflicts as she struggles with a drug addiction.
For those of you who are not familiar with the lyrics of the song i will post the English translation here:
1. Everybody! Cirno's math class is about to begin!
To become a genius like me, do your best!
2. A sparkling diamond, like a shining star
Glory, my preferred school, I'll get in somehow
Genius, prodigy, aim for the top, GO GO!!
3. IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
Wait, no, I'm not an idiot!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
The one saying idiot is the idiot!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
What, how annoying! You idiot!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
4. A bus left the Scarlet Devil Mansion; three people boarded at the start
At Hakugyokurou, one left and half a person boarded
At Yakumo-San's house, two people left; so how many passengers in total?
The answer is, the answer is, zero people, zero people
That's because, that's because,
There are no buses in Gensokyo!
5. There's not any climax, point, or meaning.
Everything will be OK as long as the character settings are fine 'n good
With energy, everything is 1, 2, 9
6. The clock's hands are whirling, my head is spinning round
Because there are only two round eyeballs,
There are three needles, it's as clear as mud
7. Problem after problem comes out; Still, still, the lesson continues
In the frozen-aired room
Without considering the temperature or time
Take it easy!
8. IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
IDIOT IDIOT!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
IDIOT IDIOT!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
Fine, call me an idiot! I don't care anymore!
IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT
The intro to the song is Cirno's flash back to the time before drugs ruined her life, back when she thought of herself as a "genius"(1). However the next stanza shows later on how the pressure of getting in to her "preferred school" and trying to be a "Genius/prodigy" have worn Cirno, as drugs begin to seem like "a sparkling diamond, like a shining star", something that could save her from the confusion and guide her. The line "sparkling diamond" could also be taken more literally, suggestion LCD(2). The third stanza is the first in which various characters insult cirno, repeatedly calling her BAAKA (idiot). However, as it turns out, these insults are not coming from other people, but cirno's own conscience. As her drug use begins to grow into an addiction, she begins to doubt her own intelligence and struggles with her perception of herself(3). The next stanza conveys a simple word problem, which cirno interprets to be a trick. This symbolizes cirno's growing paranoia as she tries to keep her activities secret. Meanwhile, the bus in the word problem is a metaphor for leaving her addiction behind. No matter how many supposedly people boarded or left the bus (broke their addictions) there are still no people on it as (according to Cirno) it doesn't exist; Cirno's believes it is impossible for her to break her addiction (4). This idea finally comes the surface in what is probably the most strait forward line in the song. Cirno believes that there is no point, climax, or meaning for life. She convinces herself that everything will be OK as long as she doesn't get caught (the character settings are fine 'n good). The last line of this stanza shows how drugs are the only thing that lifts her depression and gives her a rush, going from 1 to 9 (5). Stanza six deals with Cirno finally being caught. Cirno's head is spinning and time seems to have slowed down. She notices she had left out three needles (which she had presumably used to shoot heroine). She knows that the Two round eyeballs (one person), must have saw them. All this time Cirno has been counting on her problem remaining a secret, now that it is discovered, she doesn't know what to do (6). Rumors of Cirno's drug-use have undoubtedly circulated through the school, and Cirno's addiction is no longer a secret. Despite this, life (and school) continue to happen around her (Problem after problem comes out; Still, still, the lesson continues). She feels as if there is cold air to the room, as if no one wants to talk to her, or perhaps she doesn't want to talk to any one. However, without caring about the stigma now surrounding Cirno, or how well they know her (Without considering the temperature or time), a friend comes to comfort Cirno, telling her to "Take it easy"(7). The final stanza of the song repeat the third, with Cirno's conscience telling her how dumb it was to screw up her life with drugs. However, Cirno now acknowledges this, but does not care anymore because she has finally gotten back on the right track. Cirno will probably always wish she could go back and redo the years she lost to drugs, however by a acknowledging that she has a problem, she has take the first step toward getting help and leaving her past behind(8).
Although the song Cirno's perfect math class seems to be random and silly, it becomes clear that there is a deeper meaning to the song. This tale of expression fallowing Cirno's thoughts as she struggles with a drug addiction, is a perfect example of how many songs must be analyzed before there true meaning can be truly known. The depiction of Cirno as a drug (specifically LCD and heroine) addict ties in perfectly with the themes of stress and desperation that are often associated with the magical girl genre, notably the Madoka Magica series. Furthermore, this song opens up for analysis many other aspects of the Cirno character. Are Cirno's wings truly ice crystals, or perhaps a reference to certain crystal drugs such as meth. and LSD. In addition, Cirnos character name can be traced back to the Greek/Latin roots cirr (orange) and nu (innuendo). As oranges is a common slang term for amphetamines (as well as other drugs: http://www.noslang.com/drugs/search.php?st=orange&submit=Search), the name Cirno suggests an experimentation with drugs. However, this speculation goes beyond the scope of this article.