HALCALI -- Tandem（タンデム）

 

Although I don't think that I first saw this bizarre but adorable CG anime, "Garakuta Douri no Stain"（ガラクタ通りのステイン...Ga-Ra-Ku-Ta: Mr. Stain on Junk Alley） during its first run between 2002 and 2003, it did come to mind several years ago while I was writing "Kayo Kyoku Plus" since I had written about the special ending theme for the final 14th episode by the Tokyo song-and-dance duo HALCALI.

Well, I have to say that the one part that has always stayed in my head from "Mr. Stain" was the ending credits for the first thirteen episodes where all of the main and guest characters get introduced in happy CG dancing mode along with the regular ending theme, again by HALCALI, "Tandem". Actually, "Tandem" was the duo's debut single from January 2003 and as with "Giri Giri Surf Rider"（ギリギリ・サーフライダー）, that special ender for the finale, hip-hop group RIP SLYME's RYO-Z and DJ FUMIYA concocted this earworm.

"Tandem" did catch some attention since it peaked at No. 19 on Oricon and why not? HALCALI gave quite the distinct impression with their sing-songy vocals (kinda like a funky kids' song) and an arrangement that had me thinking a loungy cha-cha tune from the 1960s. Plus, the music video for HALCALI gave us a good eyeful of their just-as-distinct dancing style for the first time.