Yawara! Miracle Girl OP Single

YAWARA! MIRACLE GIRL
Copyright © Fun House, 1 Oct 1989
CD Single
00FD-4022
¥937
Available in Japan
Where to buy

—by Roderick "Agitator" Lee

(image shown not from cover)

1. Miracle Girl 3:42

2. My Champion 4:58

Anime soundtracks have always been important elements to the success of a title not to mention marketing bonanzas. And when it comes to compilations, caveat emptor cause one-stop shopping is often a pipe dream, and even more so with older titles. Consider the fact that KOR fans must acquire a minimum of three CDs to synthesize a complete vocal collection, and two of those discs are even considered compilations. Or witness the absolutely baffling scarcity of the final MAISON IKKOKU OP, "Hidamari". YAWARA! A FASHIONABLE JUDO GIRL debuted in 1989, so it is also from that time period. And sure enough, it also suffers from the same phenomenon. In 1992, Kitty Animation Circle released YAWARA! SONGS!!, a twenty-one track assembly of vocals and BGM clocking in over an hour, yet still missing two of the three OPS.
"Miracle Girl" is the first OP of the series, and also the first glimpse the average viewer caught of the fashionable judo girl who would become a weekly staple of their broadcast television life for 124 engaging episodes. Interestingly, the video images of the OP is completely devoid of any references to judo and, in fact, contain a montage of scenes of Yawara trying on various outfits. This actually is not much of a surprise to those who can pick up the lyrics, which tell of a young girl's hidden or unrealized desires, in Yawara's case, this being her desire to be a "real girl" free from all her judo obligations. Nagai Mariko's vocal is charming and pleasant while the melody is catchy and upbeat, featuring synthesized keyboards and horns, with backing guitar. The full version is even better than the TV cut, with an extra round of lyrics, of course, as well as an interlude guitar instrumental.
As is typical of CD singles of that time, the second track is just another Nagai Mariko vocal, with no relation to the series. However, in this case, "My Champion" actually could be an image track for YAWARA! The pace is slower, calmer, almost a ballad. Again, the instruments are almost all synthesized. Since this piece is down tempo, Nagai Mariko's vocals are actually stronger than in "Miracle Girl," as her voice must carry the piece over the quieter instruments. Fortunately, she does not disappoint, giving another pleasant performance.
Naturally, since this is a single, fans are buying it for "Miracle Girl," so it is almost a foregone conclusion that the disc is a winner to them. But, it is a plus to know that the B-side is an attractive track as well particularly since it fits ideally with the YAWARA! milieu. The disc is old, though, so best of luck finding it. And if you find two copies, would you please notify this reviewer?