Where's my thread? Ah, here it is. *blows off the dust*
Gengetsu ? Cute Devil Innocence
I find this piece to carry a strong feeling of unapproachability throughout. There is this disregard for all things mundane and mortal, as if the piece tells us of a character that transcends comprehension by its own nature. The piece gives me the impression that Gengetsu was always such ? operating on a level beyond human (and humanesque, in the case of most youkai) understanding and never stepping down, as it were, to understand things beneath her. However, I believe that this is not deliberate on her part. I get the impression that Gengetsu?s realm is a lonely place with little opportunity for her to express herself, and, even beyond that, I feel that Gengetsu is only vaguely aware of herself ? she can perceive and respond to things, but she has trouble understanding what?s doing the perceiving and responding. Considering the fact that she resides in a dream world (although the limited profile in the wiki seems unclear on this) it only makes sense, as there is not really such a thing as a concrete form or self there. With the arrival of the protagonists, Gengetsu is able to more root herself in reality, and gain a degree of self-awareness.
The introduction sets the mood immediately. We have what amounts to an organ slowly and regally playing through a somber chord progression. Nothing else distracts from this very moody sequence and the feeling is present that the listener is all alone in a vast void. Here and there is heard a harsh crack of a drum to reinforce the feeling of coldness and inhospitability. This is Gengetsu?s realm and, at the moment, essentially Gengetsu herself as an entity that exists but does not know itself.
We are then presented with a few repeats of the accompaniment that will be present in the background for the rest of the piece. To continue established themes, it?s a cold, harsh and unwelcoming motif, in minor to boot ? the accompaniment is designed to keep the listener uncomfortable throughout, although in later stages it tends to be drowned out by the more humane developments.
Soon enough the characteristic main theme begins, and will be heard throughout most of the piece, in differing pitches and textures. It?s a very straightforward theme with a lot of momentum ? as a strict series of broken chords with a cadence at the end, it does not allow for much harmonic leeway. Additionally, there is very little emotion in this motif, a feature that is further augmented by the choice of ?instrument? used ? an echoing, soft sound that almost literally distances the listener from the melody. The constant repetition of this motif, along with the features added by the accompaniment, really emphasizes this as a key aspect of Gengetsu, whose ability to respond to stimulus ? at this point in the piece ? is limited to a distant lack of involvement. It is much like trying to elicit an emotional response from the vacuum of space.
As the piece goes on, the core motif builds up strength and character as more and more texture is added in the form of a drum accompaniment and a quick, scattered melodic study in the background. Additionally, the ?instrument? used changes subtly ? there?s still the echo, but there is a greater down-to-earth force in it. All in all, the impression is that of a growing awareness, a greater confidence in the self that develops in Gengetsu, as if limbs and sensations that had long been disused are firing up again, or, possibly, awakening for the first time.
Finally, a unique melody develops, with characteristics appropriate to a character that experiences and feels in a way similar to how a human or a humanoid youkai would. The melody does not last long, but it has plenty of emotion while it lasts. It?s fast-paced, firey and ornamented. Gengetsu develops a proud personality, eager to get things done and extremely confident in one?s own abilities. I would say this mirrors the personality of any of the protagonists quite well, so it?s possible that Gengetsu is imitating them, for lack of a better point of reference, perhaps looking for something that suits her in this outburst of emotion.
It?s hard to say if she really finds anything for herself, as she seems to withdraw quite quickly, perhaps shying away from an overexposure to new experiences, putting up the usual front of distant indifference. Gengetsu remains a mystery, but it is certain that she maintains an almost na?ve curiosity towards new things and experiences, of which there are certainly plenty for a being like her.
Phew, this finishes Lotus Land Story. Seems I'll have to do most of the characters in Phantasmagoria of Dimensional Dream, though after that things seem to ease up.