Odoru Ponpokorin

  Nan demo kan demo minna,

  Odori wo odotte iru yo,

  Onabe no naka kara BOWA tto,

  INCHIKI oji-san toujou

 

Now, even though there is no karaoke version of this ending theme of Chibi Maruko Chan, I wasn’t like going crazy over the absence of one for Odoru Ponpokorin. Not to say that this song isn’t nice to sing but I feel that for me it is better to listen to it. Besides, I’m not that crazy over it since this is quite an old song (yeah, few years old) and it is sung by B.B. Queens. B.B. who? Yeah, they may sound related to that blues king B.B. King but they are not so at first the group name sounded funny.

 

  Itsudatte wasurenai,

  EJISON wa erai hito,

  Sonna no joushiki,

  TATATARARIRA

 

As much as I would like to classify this as a children’s song because the anime series is targeted at little children and toddlers, however as I closely listen to it, I also find that in some ways this song is a little weird. You’ll know what I mean once you have heard it. Another thing which makes this lively children’s pop song nice is that in addition to the lead singer, there is a man with a burly voice doing background and back-up vocals. His voice sounds like as though he’s a drunkard and has too many of it. And sometimes he’s screaming. But somehow it really fits the song and complements with the lead singer!

 

  PIHYARA PIHYARA,

  PAPAPARAPA,

  PIHYARA PIHYARA,

  Oheso ga chirari

 

The song starts of with the anime character, Sakura Momoko, introducing herself, her grade and her nickname before the upbeat fanfare and bell chimes starts the song. Throughout the song there are other instruments as well like flute and erm… computerized background voice? Didn’t I say this song is weird? Like the solo part. Although it’s short, the solo has a brief play of banjo picking followed by a few male background voices going "Oooooh~" which will leave listeners with an impression that they sound like ghosts! Then more of those ghost-like voices when the song ends accompanied with orchestra-like timpani or kettle drums to make a grandeur exit. So can we still say that this is a children’s song? Yeah, sometimes due to the tune of the song, I also feel this could be a dance song (there’s a line just before the final chorus which repetitively goes "Tatatatatatararira" very fast like as though it’s some disco mix!).

 

  PIHYARA PIHYARA,

  PAPAPARAPA,

  PIHYARA PIHYARAPI,

  Odoru Ponpokorin

 

The lyrics are seemingly simple but I find it a little silly and nonsensical. Especially the chorus part whereby the words don’t really have meaning but it still sounds fun nevertheless. So what on Earth is Ponpokorin anyway? Is it some sort of popcorn? Is it some kind of flower? Or perhaps some chemical compound? Beats me. Whatever it is, I’ll still be happy listening and sing along this nostalgic but wild piece.

 

  PIHYARA PII,

  Onaka ga hetta yo…

 

Chibi Maruko Chan

From first looks, Chibi Maruko Chan seems to be intended for small kiddies. It tells the tale of a small spoilt little girl who always gets what she wants, if not she’ll find a way to do so. Although the drawing is cute but it is a little lop-sided. Fun to watch, at the end of each episode, there are some lessons and values that we can learn from it (usually being Maruko’s backfired plan or ‘ji kay lor lay suay’).