Overview
Metamorphosism marked composer 削除 (Sakuzyo)'s return to the maimai series after a three-year gap following his previous contribution, PANDORA PARADOXXX (2019). It debuted in maimai DX UNiVERSE PLUS on August 5, 2022, as part of the 7sRef Area 2 unlockable content, initially requiring a cumulative distance of 850 km before becoming generally available from the FESTiVAL PLUS update onward.
Musically, the track showcases Sakuzyo's characteristic compositional precision through metric modulation. While the BPM remains fixed at 144 throughout, extended sections built on 12th-note subdivisions create a perceptual shift that listeners feel as BPM 216 in 3/4 time, a deliberate rhythmic illusion that gives the song a distinctive temporal character. The result is a piece that feels faster and more driving than its base tempo suggests, a trait the MASTER chart exploits to full effect.
The MASTER chart, designed by はっぴー (Happy), was originally rated level 14 at launch but was upgraded to 14+ (difficulty constant 14.7) starting from the BUDDiES version, an uncommon mid-lifecycle difficulty recalibration that reflects the chart's technical depth relative to its peers. The EXPERT chart was designed by 翠楼屋 (Suirouya). No Re:Master chart exists for this song.
The accompanying music video was produced by 桜井貴志 (Takashi Sakurai) and ぴくせる (Pikuseru). The in-game flavor text offers a poetic meditation on noise, information, and perception, describing how seven-colored emotions packed into fragments provoke laughter, tears, and anger in every wanderer, and how finding meaning in noise triggers a world-altering transformation. This thematic framing of metamorphosis resonates with the song's title and its structurally shapeshifting rhythmic identity.
Videos
Charts
DX
BASIC
6(6)
252 notesDesigner: -|Tap 211Hold 16Slide 9Touch 9Break 7
ADVANCED
8(8)
324 notesDesigner: -|Tap 232Hold 38Slide 21Touch 29Break 4
EXPERT
12+(12.8)
525 notesDesigner: 翠楼屋|Tap 244Hold 132Slide 62Touch 76Break 11
MASTER
14+(14.7)
954 notesDesigner: はっぴー|Tap 680Hold 60Slide 127Touch 71Break 16
Trivia
- Metamorphosism was 削除 (Sakuzyo)'s first maimai contribution in three years, following PANDORA PARADOXXX which was added in maimai DX 2019 (FiNALE era).
- The song employs metric modulation, a compositional technique where the pulse stays constant but the perceived time signature and feel shift, creating the illusion of a different tempo without an actual BPM change.
- Despite the BPM being a steady 144, long passages built on 12th-note subdivisions create a perceptual feel equivalent to BPM 216 in 3/4 time, giving the chart a disorienting rhythmic character.
- The MASTER chart was originally released at level 14 in UNiVERSE PLUS and through the FESTiVAL PLUS era. It was upgraded to 14+ in the BUDDiES update, an uncommon post-release difficulty adjustment that acknowledges the chart's true challenge level.
- The music video was produced by 桜井貴志 (Takashi Sakurai) and ぴくせる (Pikuseru), the same visual team behind several other maimai original song videos.
- In the Asian version, Metamorphosism became unlockable from September 2, 2022, while the Chinese version (舞萌DX 2023) added it on November 2, 2023.
- The song is an instrumental track with no lyrics.
- Sakuzyo's real name is Mitsuki Yoshida (吉田 三貴). He is also known for his extensive BMS (Be-Music Source) output and compositions for other rhythm game series including CHUNITHM and SOUND VOLTEX.
- The in-game flavor text poetically explores the concept of 'noise' transforming from meaningless data into emotionally charged information, a theme directly reflected in the song's title suggesting metamorphosis.
FAQ
- Who composed Metamorphosism in maimai?
- Metamorphosism was composed by 削除 (Sakuzyo, real name Mitsuki Yoshida), a Japanese composer and producer known for his contributions to rhythm games such as maimai, CHUNITHM, and SOUND VOLTEX, as well as the BMS (Be-Music Source) doujin scene.
- What version of maimai did Metamorphosism first appear in?
- Metamorphosism debuted in maimai DX UNiVERSE PLUS on August 5, 2022, as part of the 7sRef Area 2 unlockable content.
- What difficulty level is the MASTER chart of Metamorphosism?
- The MASTER chart is rated level 14+ with a difficulty constant of 14.7. It was originally released as level 14 in UNiVERSE PLUS and was upgraded to 14+ starting from the BUDDiES version.
- Who designed the charts for Metamorphosism?
- The EXPERT chart was designed by 翠楼屋 (Suirouya), and the MASTER chart was designed by はっぴー (Happy). The Basic and Advanced charts do not have credited designers.
- What is metric modulation and how does it apply to Metamorphosism?
- Metric modulation is a compositional technique where the underlying pulse stays constant but the perceived rhythmic grouping changes, creating the illusion of a different tempo. In Metamorphosism, the BPM stays fixed at 144, but extended 12th-note passages make the music feel like BPM 216 in 3/4 time.
- How was Metamorphosism originally unlocked in maimai?
- Metamorphosism was originally unlocked by reaching a cumulative distance of 850 km in the 7sRef Area 2 on maimai DX UNiVERSE PLUS. From maimai DX FESTiVAL PLUS onward, it became available by default. The Asian version's unlock began September 2, 2022, and the Chinese version added it on November 2, 2023.
- Does Metamorphosism have lyrics?
- No, Metamorphosism is an instrumental track with no vocal or lyrical content.
External Links
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