Overview
Secret Sleuth is an original song created for the maimai DX rhythm game, produced by Hachiya Nanashi (蜂屋ななし) with vocals by SymaG (島爺). It serves as the second episode of the 言ノ葉Project (Kotonoha Project) 2nd Season, a multi-song narrative arc titled "BLACK ROSE" that spans several SEGA rhythm game franchises. The song was introduced on July 11, 2019, as part of the BLACK ROSE area unlock system in maimai でらっくす, and later became generally available starting with the Splash version.
Clocking in at a brisk 288 BPM, Secret Sleuth is among the faster original tracks in the maimai library. The lyrics follow a detective-themed story in which a troubled girl receives a warning letter and sets out to solve a mystery, weaving motifs of investigation, equal-exchange contracts, and hidden clues into its verses. The jacket artwork was contributed by the illustrator Shikimi (しきみ), with video production by MiRA.
The song later crossed over into CHUNITHM CRYSTAL PLUS and オンゲキ R.E.D. PLUS, making it the first 言ノ葉Project song to appear across all three SEGA arcade rhythm game families. A Hatsune Miku vocal version was also released separately by Hachiya Nanashi on YouTube and NicoNico Douga. In maimai, Secret Sleuth received a Re:MASTER chart in December 2021 as part of the maimai DX Best Album Area celebration.
Videos
Charts
DX
BASIC
2(2)
111 notesDesigner: -|Tap 84Hold 6Slide 4Touch 16Break 1
ADVANCED
7(7)
263 notesDesigner: -|Tap 185Hold 15Slide 10Touch 42Break 11
EXPERT
10+(10.6)
568 notesDesigner: Jack|Tap 389Hold 83Slide 32Touch 55Break 9
MASTER
13(13.3)
726 notesDesigner: 某S氏|Tap 492Hold 53Slide 83Touch 88Break 10
Re:MASTER
13+(13.8)
897 notesDesigner: はっぴー|Tap 682Hold 68Slide 103Touch 35Break 9
Trivia
- Secret Sleuth is Episode 2 of the 言ノ葉Project (Kotonoha Project) 2nd Season, a narrative-driven music series with interconnected storylines across multiple songs.
- The song was originally unlockable exclusively through the BLACK ROSE area in maimai でらっくす, requiring 10 meters of distance progress. It became generally available from maimai DX Splash onward (September 17, 2020).
- Secret Sleuth is the first 言ノ葉Project song to appear in all three SEGA arcade rhythm games: maimai, CHUNITHM, and オンゲキ.
- The Re:MASTER chart was added on December 3, 2021, to celebrate the release of the maimai DX Best Album Area (ベストアルバムちほー) soundtrack.
- A Hatsune Miku version of Secret Sleuth was released by Hachiya Nanashi on YouTube and NicoNico Douga, offering an alternate vocal arrangement of the same composition.
- The Re:MASTER chart (designed by はっぴー) features dense 12th-note syncopated rhythms in its verses, 8th-note one-hand holds during the build-up before the second chorus, and 24th-note streams in the outro, a notably demanding combination for its 13+ level.
- Despite being a 13+ Re:MASTER, the chart has a reputation among players for its idiosyncratic patterning and distinct feel compared to the three other Re:MASTER charts added on the same date.
- The Basic difficulty was originally level 4 at launch and was later downgraded to level 2 starting from UNiVERSE PLUS, reflecting a broader re-evaluation of early-difficulty level standards in maimai DX.
- The Master chart (designed by 某S氏) and Expert chart (designed by Jack) also underwent level adjustments across versions, with the Master chart fluctuating between 12+ and 13.
FAQ
- Who composed Secret Sleuth?
- Secret Sleuth was composed, arranged, and written by Hachiya Nanashi (蜂屋ななし), also known as Yuuri Kuriyama, with vocals performed by SymaG (島爺).
- What is the 言ノ葉Project (Kotonoha Project)?
- The 言ノ葉Project is a multi-song narrative music project produced by Hachiya Nanashi, featuring different vocalists and illustrators across interconnected storylines. Secret Sleuth is Episode 2 of its 2nd Season, titled BLACK ROSE.
- When was Secret Sleuth added to maimai?
- Secret Sleuth was added to maimai DX on July 11, 2019, as part of the BLACK ROSE area. Its Re:MASTER chart was added later on December 3, 2021, with the UNiVERSE version.
- What BPM is Secret Sleuth?
- Secret Sleuth has a BPM of 288, making it one of the faster original songs in the maimai DX library.
- Does Secret Sleuth have a Hatsune Miku version?
- Yes, Hachiya Nanashi released a separate version of Secret Sleuth featuring Hatsune Miku on vocals, available on YouTube and NicoNico Douga.
- What is notable about the Re:MASTER chart for Secret Sleuth?
- The Re:MASTER chart (level 13+, designed by はっぴー) is known for its tricky 12th-note syncopated rhythms, 8th-note one-hand holds, and 24th-note dense streams in the outro, making it a uniquely demanding chart for its level constant.
- Which other rhythm games feature Secret Sleuth?
- Beyond maimai, Secret Sleuth appears in CHUNITHM (starting from CRYSTAL PLUS) and オンゲキ (starting from R.E.D. PLUS), making it the first 言ノ葉Project song to appear across all three SEGA arcade rhythm game families.
