Overview
QZKago Requiem is an original composition by t+pazolite (Tomoyuki Hamada) that debuted in maimai FiNALE on December 18, 2018 as the opening salvo of the PANDORA BOXXX event series, Stage 1 Phase 1, representing the maimai GreeN era. The track runs at a blistering 257 BPM and was created as the direct sequel to t+pazolite's earlier maimai contribution, Garakuta Doll Play (maimai GreeN, 2013). Several vocal samples and motif callbacks from the predecessor are woven into the track, though the iconic "Bulgaria" sample from the original does not make a return.
The song is accompanied by an animated music video (the only PANDORA BOXXX song to receive one) created by illustrator and animator 百舌谷 (Mozuya). The video features the returning characters Shama and Milk, whose iconography also appears on the jacket and in unlockable in-game nameplates and frames. Midway through the video, the画面 glitches into a distorted, blue-tinted sequence that mirrors the chaotic energy of the track's second half, a visual flourish that carries over into t+pazolite's own live performances, where he is known to swap the video to a bluescreen and cut to a different track mid-play.
A prototype version titled "QZKago Requiem (Rehearsal)" was secretly included on the maimai × t+pazolite special CD "Garakuta Scramble!", and an extended "Uncut Edition" later appeared on t+pazolite's album ハートエイク・デバッグ (Heartache Debug). The game-length version is also collected on the "PANDORA BOXXX PLUS" and "maimai ALL PERFECT COLLECTiON" releases. Beyond maimai, the song has been ported to CHUNITHM NEW PLUS, オンゲキ R.E.D. PLUS, and the mobile rhythm game Phigros.
Videos
Charts
STD
BASIC
7(7)
306 notesDesigner: -|Tap 270Hold 12Slide 11Break 13
ADVANCED
10+(10.6)
593 notesDesigner: -|Tap 509Hold 24Slide 24Break 36
EXPERT
13(13)
731 notesDesigner: 小鳥遊さん|Tap 580Hold 55Slide 64Break 32
MASTER
14+(14.8)
1105 notesDesigner: チャン@DP皆伝|Tap 838Hold 12Slide 191Break 64
Re:MASTER
14+(14.9)
1181 notesDesigner: Garakuta Scramble!|Tap 861Hold 19Slide 211Break 90
Trivia
- The title "QZKago" is a romanized abbreviation of くずかご (kuzukago), the Japanese word for "trashbin", a direct thematic link to the "garakuta" (junk/trash) motif of its predecessor Garakuta Doll Play.
- QZKago Requiem is the only song in the PANDORA BOXXX event series to feature a full animated music video rather than a static jacket or lyric video.
- The song's BPM is listed as 257 but actually fluctuates up to approximately 290 during the climactic sections, with the final acceleration sequence seeing a gradual BPM rise.
- The MASTER chart was designed by チャン@DP皆伝 (Chan@DP kaiden), also responsible for the Garakuta Doll Play MASTER chart. According to the maimai official Twitter (now X), the released chart is a "customized for humans" version toned down from an even more extreme first draft.
- The Re:MASTER chart uses the credited designer name "Garakuta Scramble!", a collaboration handle representing two designers working together, per wiki documentation. Its 90 Break notes at 14.9 constant make it one of the most physically demanding charts in the FiNALE-era maimai catalog.
- Several chart patterns in the MASTER and Re:MASTER charts quote the Re:MASTER chart of Garakuta Doll Play, including the half-rotation slide sequences near the start and the ending 16th-note trill runs.
- Midway through the music video, a result screen from maimai GreeN showing a FANTASTIC CLEAR is briefly displayed, a nod to the game series' own history.
- t+pazolite has a running gag at live events where he plays QZKago Requiem, then swaps the screen to a bluescreen image and transitions to a different track altogether.
- In maimai FiNALE, clearing the MASTER chart was part of the Splash PLUS 真十段 (Shin 10th Dan) course alongside Oshama Scramble!, 雷切-RAIKIRI-, and 封焔の135秒.
- The song had a staggered release: PANDORA BOXXX attendees could play it from December 18, 2018, while the general public could access it from July 11, 2019 with the launch of maimai でらっくす. The Re:MASTER chart followed the same pattern (May 10, 2019 for PANDORA BOXXX, July 11 for general release).
- QZKago Requiem had no level changes for Basic in the early DX versions, but received a notable upgrade path on higher difficulties: Master rose from 13 in FiNALE to 14+ by FESTiVAL, and Advanced climbed from 6 to 10+ across the same span.
- The end of the Re:MASTER chart features a fan-shaped slide that, after the player taps it, requires waiting 6 quarter-note beats before tracing, a timing gimmick unique among the chart's otherwise relentless patterns.
FAQ
- Who composed QZKago Requiem?
- QZKago Requiem was composed and arranged by t+pazolite (Tomoyuki Hamada), a prolific Japanese electronic music artist known for high-BPM tracks and frequent contributions to rhythm game soundtracks.
- What does QZKago mean?
- QZKago is a romanized abbreviation of くずかご (kuzukago), the Japanese word for 'trashbin', a title that ties into the 'garakuta' (junk/trash) theme of its predecessor Garakuta Doll Play.
- Which maimai version added QZKago Requiem?
- QZKago Requiem debuted in maimai FiNALE on December 18, 2018 as part of the PANDORA BOXXX event (Stage 1 Phase 1). It became generally available on July 11, 2019 with the launch of maimai でらっくす.
- What difficulty levels are QZKago Requiem's charts?
- The Standard charts span Basic 7, Advanced 10+ (constant 10.6), Expert 13 (13.0), Master 14+ (14.8), and Re:Master 14+ (14.9). These reflect current values after multiple version revisions.
- Who designed the charts for QZKago Requiem?
- The Expert chart was designed by 小鳥遊さん (Takanashi-san), the Master chart by チャン@DP皆伝 (Chan@DP kaiden), and the Re:Master chart by the collaborative duo name 'Garakuta Scramble!'.
- Is QZKago Requiem related to Garakuta Doll Play?
- Yes, QZKago Requiem is the direct sequel to Garakuta Doll Play (maimai GreeN). It reuses some vocal samples and motif patterns from the original, and its charts quote specific slide sequences from the predecessor's Re:Master chart.
- What other rhythm games feature QZKago Requiem?
- Beyond maimai, QZKago Requiem appears in CHUNITHM NEW PLUS (and later versions), オンゲキ R.E.D. PLUS, and the mobile game Phigros.
- Does QZKago Requiem have lyrics?
- No, QZKago Requiem is an instrumental track with no lyrical content, though it features sampled vocal shouts and phrases characteristic of t+pazolite's style.
External Links
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