Overview
"拝啓ドッペルゲンガー" (Dear Doppelganger) is a VOCALOID original song by kemu, featuring GUMI on vocals with tuning by Orebanana-P and a music video by ke-sanβ. The track was added to maimai MiLK at launch on December 14, 2017, and later crossed over into CHUNITHM STAR PLUS. In Asian English releases of maimai, the title is localized as "Dear Doppelganger." The song's lyrics narrate a conversation with one's own doppelgänger, a double who offers to take over the hardships of life, exploring themes of identity, self-replacement, and existential recursion. The composition sits at a brisk 181 BPM, characteristic of kemu's energetic rock-infused VOCALOID style. Its MASTER chart, designed by LabiLabi, carries 1070 notes and is known for demanding stamina and precise slide patterns, while the EXPERT chart by はっぴー (Happy) serves as a dense 12+ with dense hold-and-slide formations. The song's title and jacket art reference a letter format ("拝啓" meaning "Dear" in letter salutations) addressed to one's own double.
Videos
Charts
Trivia
- The song was kemu's contribution to maimai MiLK's launch lineup on December 14, 2017, and was also ported to CHUNITHM STAR PLUS at launch.
- In Asian English versions of maimai, the title is displayed as 'Dear Doppelganger', a direct translation of the Japanese salutation '拝啓'.
- The EXPERT chart (level 12+, constant 12.6) was designed by はっぴー (Happy), while the MASTER chart (level 13+, constant 13.8) was designed by LabiLabi, who is known for dense, slide-heavy high-difficulty charts.
- The song was unavailable in the Chinese version 舞萌DX but was restored in 舞萌DX 2021.
- The music video was illustrated and animated by ke-sanβ, a frequent collaborator with kemu on VOCALOID productions.
- Vocal tuning was handled by Orebanana-P, who has provided tuning for numerous kemu VOCALOID tracks.
- In maimai MiLK through MiLK PLUS, the MASTER chart was originally level 12+, before being rebalanced to 12 in FiNALE, then 13 in でらっくす PLUS, and finally settling at 13+ from UNiVERSE PLUS onward.
- The ADVANCED chart also saw a level upgrade from 7+ to 8 beginning with FESTiVAL.
- A title unlock achievement called '少年は少年を失くして' (The Boy Lost the Boy) was awarded for earning SSS rank on MASTER in the MiLK-era collection system (no longer obtainable in DX versions).
- The DX Collection includes a title '二人目のドッペルゲンガー' (The Second Doppelganger) for playing both '私のドッペルゲンガー' and '拝啓ドッペルゲンガー' in a single credit.
- The song appears in the 白三段 (White Third Dan) course in maimai's Dan certification mode as the third song, alongside 'ちがう!!!', 'KISS CANDY FLAVOR', and 'Ultranova'.
- In CHUNITHM, the song was initially absent from the Asian version of CHUNITHM NEW but was eventually added in CHUNITHM LUMINOUS.
FAQ
- Who composed 拝啓ドッペルゲンガー?
- The song was composed, arranged, and written by kemu, with vocals by GUMI, vocal tuning by Orebanana-P, and a music video by ke-sanβ.
- What version of maimai added 拝啓ドッペルゲンガー?
- The song was added to maimai MiLK at launch on December 14, 2017, and also appeared in CHUNITHM STAR PLUS.
- What is the English title of 拝啓ドッペルゲンガー?
- In Asian English versions of maimai, the title is localized as 'Dear Doppelganger'.
- What are the chart levels for 拝啓ドッペルゲンガー in maimai?
- The song has four standard charts: Basic at level 5, Advanced at level 8, Expert at level 12+ (constant 12.6), and Master at level 13+ (constant 13.8).
- Who designed the charts for 拝啓ドッペルゲンガー in maimai?
- The Expert chart was designed by はっぴー (Happy), and the Master chart was designed by LabiLabi.
- What is the song 拝啓ドッペルゲンガー about?
- The lyrics depict a conversation with one's own doppelgänger, a duplicate self who offers to take over life's hardships. The song wrestles with themes of identity, existential replacement, and the cyclical nature of passing burdens from one self to another.
- Is 拝啓ドッペルゲンガー available in all regions?
- The song is available in Japanese, international, and Chinese versions of maimai. It was temporarily unavailable in the Chinese 舞萌DX but was restored in 舞萌DX 2021.
