Tracks:

1. Shinku (original version)

2. Ai no Uta

3. Shinku (A.C.E.3 version)

4. Shinku (Instrumental)

5. Ai no Uta (Instrumental)

Hitomi Shimatani’s Shinku / Ai no Uta was released on September 5th, 2007. It’s her 26th single and it debuted at #14 on the Oricon Weekly Charts, selling a total 25,019 copies. The A-side was used as the opening theme for the video game A.C.E.3: The Final, while the B-side was used as the ending theme.

Now THIS song was the song that REALLY got me into Hitomi Shimatani (and also what lead me to Beyond the Sea. ;D) Shinku is amazing. No other way to describe it. The instrumental is phenominal and Shimatani radiates. It has beautiful flowing strings and harps, but also an aggressive side, with the electronica and various beats. It sounds like something that should be in Gundam, TBH. I’d love to hear another crossover-styled song in the future. PLEASE HITOMI, PLEASE.

The B-side is a very, very pretty, yet simple ballad. Ai no Uta (how original) is a straight-up piano ballad and Shimatani really shows off her soft side. I thought this was a nice contrast to the epicness of the A-side. It may sound a little sluggish after the A-side but it’s well worth a listen.

The A.C.E.3 version of Shinku is about half of what the original is (length wise). It opens with a chilling orchestral ensemble then quickly flows into the original song. It may be just me, but I heard a difference between this one and the original, like some acoustic guitar and some vocal changes, but whatever, it might be just me.

Overall Grade: