Our Sails Are Set - We've Come Home

I've always been taught to be brave and strong

To see the hope when all feels wrong

I've always been taught not to be afraid

And look the price, the price I paid

I'm barely afloat -

My sails are set and I'm coming home

I'm barely afloat -

My sails are set, I'm coming home

-- "My Sails Are Set", Aurora

The next "musical tribute" in my "finale coverage" is one that may be considered to "come from the left field". For those into Japanese fandoms (of which Pokémon can be considered one), a major one last year received a live-action treatment that turned out to be rather successful; there is an obvious mention of this elsewhere on this blog, but that's for readers to figure out. That live-action treatment also resulted in this song, which plays during the credits of the finale of its currently only available season. And... I'm "borrowing" that song for the purpose of this "musical tribute".

Now, this song is essentially a vocal and extended version of the thematic motif of one of its characters, for which the actress who plays this role also has been mentioned elsewhere on this blog - again, that's for readers to figure out. The song can be described as an illustration of the character's journey over this and potential future seasons, while the part of the song that I've chosen to quote is the song's chorus - specifically the last one, which ends the song on a high note. Overall, it's also related to maps, sailing, and navigation, all related to the character as well as the series in general.

For this "musical tribute", I'm taking another perspective: the song could spiritually (even if not literally) describe the journey of Pikachu, which started out when it was still a Pichu, something that was actually illustrated all the way at the beginning of the "World saga". As fans know, it was then introduced to Ash, and the rest was history. In the process of that "history", Ash could also be tied to the second verse of this song, for which the last two lines could fit perfectly (And when I conquer it all / Will you still be my friend?). This then proceeds to their ultimate challenge, for which the results should now be well-known.

With the resolution of that challenge, the main premise of the chorus becomes fulfilled - their sails are now set, and even Pikachu was "barely afloat" during that resolution; I'll let viewers fill in the details. After that point, eventually the homecoming also happened, even as a brief one before the journey continues again for the pair. Spiritually, though, this final appearance can also be considered a "homecoming" since it's no longer "out there". Here I should also note that the song's appearance in the other series is followed by the main theme motif of that series; for Pokémon, it could instead have a few notes from "Pokémon Theme".

Many years have passed since the Pokémon anime first appeared, along with Ash himself. For some, it may have been unthinkable to get to this point of parting with Ash, but it has happened regardless. The sails are (or were) set for Ash and Pikachu, and they had to weather their most tumultuous journey yet before finally being able to say that they are coming home in a celebrated manner - and they have, even at least for a brief moment by story and more or less by spirit. And while this "musical tribute" is "borrowed", it's still a fitting one for a dynamic duo whose time to shine had finally come and they needed to bring it, indeed, back home.

One year ago: Quickies: The Fire Inside and Out

Two years ago: On the Referencing of Stats in Pokémon Go

Three years ago: Beyond the Immensity of Life

Four years ago: New Pokémon Asia McDonald's Happy Meal Toys - Selections

Five years ago: Islands and Continents

Six years ago: Passing the Guard

Seven years ago: Two Pokémon Pillows