Overview
BLACK ROSE is a gothic-themed original song that debuted in maimai DX in July 2019 as Episode 1 of the Kotonoha Project (言ノ葉Project) 2nd Season, a multimedia narrative series blending original music, illustrations, and video. The track is a high-profile collaboration between vocalists S!N and Alfakyun. (+α/あるふぁきゅん。) and the long-running Japanese musical unit ALI PROJECT, best known for their ornate gothic-orchestral anime scores such as Rozen Maiden and .hack//Roots.
Composition and arrangement were handled by ALI PROJECT's Mikiya Katakura (片倉三起也), with lyrics by Arika Takarano (宝野アリカ). The lyrics weave alchemical imagery, the philosopher's stone, transmutation, and a masked ball, into a theatrical narrative set against a black rose night, delivered over a driving 145 BPM arrangement typical of ALI PROJECT's dramatic style. The accompanying music video was directed by Tsutsumi Hideaki (ツツミヒデアキ) with illustrations by Shikimi (しきみ).
In maimai DX, BLACK ROSE was initially locked behind the BLACK ROSE Area (BLACK ROSEちほー), requiring players to accumulate 150 m of in-game distance to unlock. It became available by default from the Splash version onward, including in the Chinese 舞萌DX 2022 release. The song later crossed over into CHUNITHM PARADISE LOST in July 2021 with a separate set of charts. Both the Expert and Master charts in maimai were designed by the notes designer はっぴー (Happy).
Videos
Charts
DX
BASIC
2(2)
142 notesDesigner: -|Tap 102Hold 10Slide 6Touch 22Break 2
ADVANCED
6(6)
297 notesDesigner: -|Tap 216Hold 21Slide 14Touch 38Break 8
EXPERT
9+(9.6)
445 notesDesigner: はっぴー|Tap 301Hold 47Slide 47Touch 46Break 4
MASTER
12(12.2)
709 notesDesigner: はっぴー|Tap 530Hold 39Slide 95Touch 43Break 2
Trivia
- BLACK ROSE serves as Episode 1 of the Kotonoha Project (言ノ葉Project) 2nd Season, a multimedia music narrative that pairs original compositions with illustrated music videos and story elements.
- The song was composed and arranged by Mikiya Katakura (片倉三起也) with lyrics by Arika Takarano (宝野アリカ), the core duo of ALI PROJECT, whose portfolio includes iconic anime themes for Rozen Maiden, .hack//Roots, and Jigoku Shoujo.
- The music video credits Tsutsumi Hideaki (ツツミヒデアキ) as director and Shikimi (しきみ) as illustrator, giving the song a distinct visual identity tied to the Kotonoha Project's 2nd Season.
- Upon its debut in maimai でらっくす, BLACK ROSE was classified under the ORIGINAL genre. It was moved to the maimai genre category starting with the でらっくす PLUS update.
- Originally locked behind the BLACK ROSE Area, which required 150 m of in-game distance, BLACK ROSE became available by default in all regions from maimai DX Splash onward.
- The Master chart for BLACK ROSE has fluctuated between level 11+ and 12 across maimai DX versions before settling at its current level 12 rating.
- BLACK ROSE was added to CHUNITHM PARADISE LOST on July 8, 2021, with chart designs by じゃこレモン (Jako Lemon) and Redarrow, featuring a separate note count and difficulty structure from the maimai version.
- The lyrics prominently feature alchemical terms such as philosopher's stone (賢者の石), transmutation (調合錬金の術), and decomposition (分解能力), tying the song's narrative to classical occult and fantasy motifs.
- Both the Expert and Master charts in maimai were designed by はっぴー (Happy), a notes designer recognized in the community for creative slide-heavy patterns and expressive chart layouts.
- The song's BPM remains a steady 145 throughout, with no tempo changes or soflan sections, placing the emphasis on the chart's patterning complexity rather than gimmick speed shifts.
FAQ
- Who composed BLACK ROSE?
- BLACK ROSE was composed and arranged by Mikiya Katakura (片倉三起也), with lyrics written by Arika Takarano (宝野アリカ), both core members of the musical unit ALI PROJECT.
- Who are the vocalists on BLACK ROSE?
- The song features vocals from S!N and Alfakyun. (+α/あるふぁきゅん。), with musical composition and production by ALI PROJECT.
- When was BLACK ROSE added to maimai?
- BLACK ROSE was added to maimai DX on July 11, 2019, initially locked behind the BLACK ROSE Area (BLACK ROSEちほー). It became available by default from the maimai DX Splash version onward.
- What is the Kotonoha Project?
- The Kotonoha Project (言ノ葉Project) is a multimedia music initiative that blends original songs, illustrated videos, and narrative storytelling. BLACK ROSE serves as Episode 1 of its 2nd Season.
- What is BLACK ROSE about lyrically?
- The lyrics tell a gothic tale set at a masquerade ball, weaving alchemical imagery, the philosopher's stone, transmutation, hidden enemies, and a black rose night, into a dramatic story about fate and awakening from darkness.
- Who designed the charts for BLACK ROSE in maimai?
- Both the Expert and Master charts were designed by the notes designer はっぴー (Happy), whose chart layouts are known for creative slide patterns and expressive note placement.
- Is BLACK ROSE available in other rhythm games?
- Yes, BLACK ROSE was added to CHUNITHM PARADISE LOST on July 8, 2021, with separate chart designs by じゃこレモン (Jako Lemon) and Redarrow.
