Overview
As the main theme of ONGEKI bright, the third major version of Sega's ONGEKI arcade rhythm game, "Transcend Lights" functions as a celebratory anthem that connects the ONGEKI, maimai, and CHUNITHM player communities through a single crossover track. Composed by Koutarou Odaka (小高光太郎) with lyrics by Erica Masaki (真崎エリカ) and co-arranged by Tatsuya Yano and Odaka, the song is performed by the ONGEKI Shooters, a vocal ensemble drawn from the five main heroines of ONGEKI: Akari Hoshizaki (CV: Hikaru Akao), Rio Takase (CV: Yurika Kubo), Mia Kashiwagi (CV: Azumi Waki), Tsumugi Shinonome (CV: Fuuka Izumi), and Setsuna Sumeragi (CV: Anna Yamaki). The ONGEKI side classifies the track under the genre "Fantastic Spectacle" (ファンタスティックスペクタクル), a fitting label for its sweeping, anthemic arrangement built around layered vocal harmonies and a triumphant orchestral-style backing.
In maimai, "Transcend Lights" arrived with the DX UNiVERSE PLUS update on September 2, 2022, as part of the ONGEKI & CHUNITHM crossover category. One of its most striking quirks is the tempo shift: the original ONGEKI version runs at BPM 105, but the maimai port slows it to 70 BPM, a deliberate adjustment that gives the chart a markedly different feel between the two games and can catch players off guard when switching contexts. The MASTER chart, designed by はっぴー (Happy), incorporates a well-known visual easter egg: during a stopped section, colored trails representing all 17 ONGEKI characters fan out across the playfield, with each line shifting to the character's signature color, a detail that rewards franchise familiarity. The Expert chart by 翠楼屋 (Suirouya) rounds out the upper-tier playable content, while both charts saw downward level adjustments from UNiVERSE PLUS through subsequent version updates.
Videos
Charts
DX
BASIC
4(4)
155 notesDesigner: -|Tap 126Hold 5Slide 6Touch 14Break 4
ADVANCED
7(7)
285 notesDesigner: -|Tap 251Hold 19Slide 2Touch 9Break 4
EXPERT
11(11)
366 notesDesigner: 翠楼屋|Tap 240Hold 40Slide 55Touch 14Break 17
MASTER
13(13.5)
609 notesDesigner: はっぴー|Tap 442Hold 8Slide 119Touch 25Break 15
Trivia
- Transcend Lights is the main theme of ONGEKI bright, the third major version of Sega's ONGEKI series, where its in-game genre is classified as 'Fantastic Spectacle' (ファンタスティックスペクタクル).
- The ONGEKI Shooters vocal ensemble consists of five characters: Akari Hoshizaki (CV: Hikaru Akao), Rio Takase (CV: Yurika Kubo), Mia Kashiwagi (CV: Azumi Waki), Tsumugi Shinonome (CV: Fuuka Izumi), and Setsuna Sumeragi (CV: Anna Yamaki).
- Composer Koutarou Odaka and lyricist Erica Masaki are regular contributors to the ONGEKI series soundtrack, with Odaka also co-handling the arrangement alongside Tatsuya Yano.
- The maimai version of Transcend Lights runs at BPM 70, notably slower than the original ONGEKI version at BPM 105, a significant tempo adjustment that affects chart feel across the two games.
- The video production for the song was handled by MiRA, who created the in-game movie that accompanies the track.
- During a stopped section of the MASTER chart, three colored lines (red, green, blue) appear referencing the three ONGEKI button colors and FIRE/LEAF/AQUA elements. These split into 5 red, 5 green, and 7 blue lines, matching the number of ONGEKI characters per element, before each line shifts to the signature color of a specific character, cycling through all 17 ONGEKI original characters.
- An extended version of Transcend Lights appears on the ONGEKI Sound Collection 06 'Transcend Lights' soundtrack, alongside an instrumental version and solo versions by each of the five singers (e.g., Transcend Lights -Hoshizaki Akari solo ver.-).
- In maimai, the Expert and Master charts had their level ratings adjusted between versions: Expert was 11+ (UNiVERSE PLUS through FESTiVAL PLUS) before being reduced to 11 from BUDDiES onward, and Master similarly went from 13+ to 13.
- The song was added to CHUNITHM NEW PLUS on September 15, 2022, shortly after its maimai debut, completing its presence across all three major Sega arcade rhythm game platforms.
- Regional release dates for maimai lagged behind Japan: the Asian version received it on January 6, 2023, and the Chinese version (舞萌DX 2023) added it on November 2, 2023.
FAQ
- Who composed Transcend Lights?
- The song was composed by Koutarou Odaka (小高光太郎), with lyrics by Erica Masaki (真崎エリカ) and arrangement by both Tatsuya Yano and Koutarou Odaka.
- Who are the vocalists on Transcend Lights?
- The vocals are performed by the ONGEKI Shooters, a five-member ensemble comprising the main heroines of ONGEKI: Akari Hoshizaki (CV: Hikaru Akao), Rio Takase (CV: Yurika Kubo), Mia Kashiwagi (CV: Azumi Waki), Tsumugi Shinonome (CV: Fuuka Izumi), and Setsuna Sumeragi (CV: Anna Yamaki).
- What BPM does Transcend Lights run at in maimai?
- The maimai DX version runs at BPM 70, a deliberate reduction from the original ONGEKI version which runs at BPM 105. This tempo difference gives the chart a distinct feel compared to the source game.
- When was Transcend Lights added to maimai DX?
- It was added to maimai DX UNiVERSE PLUS on September 2, 2022 in Japan. The Asian version followed on January 6, 2023, and the Chinese version (舞萌DX 2023) on November 2, 2023.
- Who designed the maimai charts for Transcend Lights?
- The Expert chart was designed by 翠楼屋 (Suirouya) and the Master chart by はっぴー (Happy). The Basic and Advanced charts do not have credited designers.
- What is the visual easter egg in the Transcend Lights MASTER chart?
- During a stop section, three colored lines (red, green, blue) representing ONGEKI's three elements (FIRE, LEAF, AQUA) split into 5 red, 5 green, and 7 blue lines, matching the count of characters assigned to each element. Each line then shifts to the signature color of a specific ONGEKI character, cycling through all 17 original characters in sequence.
- Does Transcend Lights have extended or alternate versions?
- Yes, an extended version appears on the ONGEKI Sound Collection 06 'Transcend Lights' soundtrack, alongside an instrumental version. Solo versions by each of the five singers also exist, titled after their respective characters.
- What other rhythm games feature Transcend Lights?
- Beyond maimai, Transcend Lights appears in ONGEKI bright (where it debuted as the main theme) and CHUNITHM NEW PLUS (added September 15, 2022), making it a cross-title Sega rhythm game anthem.
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