Overview
Saika (彩華) is an instrumental composition by the Taiwanese artist Rabpit, originally created for Rayark's mobile rhythm game Cytus. The track was brought into maimai でらっくす PLUS on June 11, 2020, as part of a crossover collaboration between Sega's maimai series and Rayark's Cytus franchise. Its BPM of 145 and placement in the Game & Variety category reflect its origin in the broader rhythm-game ecosystem. Beyond Cytus and maimai, Saika has appeared in Deemo and VOEZ, both also Rayark titles, in a piano-focused arrangement. The version used in maimai is Rabpit's second arrangement (Ver. 2), distinct from an earlier prototype in the arcade game MOZARC and a hidden third version in Cytus itself. The Chinese title 彩華 translates roughly to "colorful splendor" or "elegant colors," evoking the bright, melodic character of the piece. In maimai, the Master chart (level 12+, designed by すきやき奉行) is known for its dense slide patterns and rapid touch-note sequences that test a player's dexterity across the full 467-note count. The Expert chart (level 10, designed by 小鳥遊さん) offers a substantial step up with 343 notes and a heavier break-note emphasis. Saika's Basic difficulty was adjusted downward from level 4 to level 3 starting with maimai でらっくす UNiVERSE PLUS, reflecting ongoing rebalancing of low-level charts. Regionally, the song was released in Japan, International, and USA maimai versions simultaneously, with a later staggered rollout in Asian and Chinese arcades; it was ultimately removed from Chinese cabinets beginning with 舞萌DX 2022.
Videos
Charts
DX
BASIC
3(3)
136 notesDesigner: -|Tap 113Hold 9Slide 6Touch 6Break 2
ADVANCED
7+(7.6)
234 notesDesigner: -|Tap 167Hold 21Slide 4Touch 38Break 4
EXPERT
10(10)
343 notesDesigner: 小鳥遊さん|Tap 235Hold 36Slide 18Touch 40Break 14
MASTER
12+(12.7)
467 notesDesigner: すきやき奉行|Tap 332Hold 31Slide 62Touch 34Break 8
Trivia
- Saika originated in Rayark's mobile rhythm game Cytus, where it serves as one of the game's recognizable BGM tracks. It was later carried over to Cytus II as a legacy song.
- Rabpit produced at least three distinct arrangements of Saika. Version 1 first appeared in MOZARC, an arcade music game by HYPAA, the studio that preceded Rayark. Version 2 (the one used in both Cytus and maimai) is the most widely heard. Version 3 exists as a hidden song accessible by tapping the two kanji 彩華 on Cytus's title screen before starting the game; in Cytus α, this version is labeled Saika (Ver.B).
- A separate piano-focused arrangement of Saika was included in Deemo as a playable track, and later crossed over into VOEZ. This version emphasizes the melody's lyrical phrasing over the electronic production of the original.
- The Cytus song The Sacred Story by VILA samples both Saika and MYTHOS, weaving the two Rabpit compositions into a single tribute track.
- In the Asian version of maimai, Saika was added on November 20, 2020, roughly five months after the Japanese release. The Chinese version received it even later on May 20, 2021, via the 舞萌DX 2021 update, and it was subsequently removed starting with 舞萌DX 2022.
- Saika's Basic chart was originally level 4 at launch in maimai でらっくす PLUS, then downgraded to level 3 starting with maimai でらっくす UNiVERSE PLUS, making it more accessible to beginners.
- The title 彩華 combines the characters for 'color' (彩) and 'splendor/flower' (華), reflecting the song's bright, melodic character.
FAQ
- Who composed Saika?
- Saika was composed and arranged by Rabpit, a Taiwanese musician known for contributing multiple songs to Rayark's rhythm game franchises including Cytus, Deemo, and VOEZ.
- What version of maimai introduced Saika?
- Saika was added in maimai でらっくす PLUS (DX PLUS), released on June 11, 2020, as part of a crossover collaboration with Rayark's Cytus series.
- What does Saika (彩華) mean?
- The kanji 彩華 combine 彩 (color, coloring) and 華 (splendor, flower, petal), evoking a sense of colorful brilliance or elegant radiance, fitting for the song's bright, melodic style.
- Is Saika available in all maimai regions?
- Saika was released in the Japanese, International, and USA versions on June 11, 2020. The Asian version received it on November 20, 2020. The Chinese version added it on May 20, 2021 via 舞萌DX 2021, but later removed it starting with 舞萌DX 2022.
- Are there multiple versions of Saika?
- Yes. Rabpit created several arrangements: Version 1 appeared in MOZARC; Version 2 is used in Cytus and maimai; Version 3 is a hidden song in Cytus (called Saika (Ver.B) in Cytus α); and a separate piano-focused arrangement appears in Deemo and VOEZ.
- Who designed the Master chart for Saika?
- The Master chart (level 12+) was designed by すきやき奉行 (Sukiyaki Bugyou), while the Expert chart (level 10) was designed by 小鳥遊さん (Takanashi-san).
- Was Saika ever rebalanced in maimai?
- Yes. Saika's Basic difficulty was originally level 4 at launch in でらっくす PLUS, but was lowered to level 3 beginning with でらっくす UNiVERSE PLUS to better align with its actual difficulty.
