Keyakizaka46 – Ima Ni Mite Iro. Lyrics Meaning: A Battle Cry for the Underdog

What happens when the world tells you that you’re not good enough? Keyakizaka46 answers that with a scream. Their song “Ima Ni Mite Iro” is a raw anthem for anyone who has ever been underestimated.

    The Story Within Keyakizaka46’s “Ima Ni Mite Iro”

    This song isn’t just a collection of cool-sounding words. It tells a story. Imagine a group of young, inexperienced kids suddenly put on the spot.

    An Impossible Challenge

    The song kicks off with adults throwing down a challenge out of nowhere. It’s like a surprise test you never studied for. They’re basically being called out as cowards and asked what they’re going to do about it.

    Aru hi totsuzen otonatachi kara
    One day, suddenly, from the adults
    ‘Yatte minai ka?’ tte iwarete
    We were asked, “Why don’t you give it a try?”
    Dousuru tsumori da? Okubyoumono yo
    What are you going to do? You cowards

    You can feel the pressure right away. They know they’re not ready. Everyone knows it. But backing down just isn’t an option.

    Deciding to Fight Back

    Even though they’re scared, something snaps. Instead of running, they accept the challenge. It’s not because they’re confident; it’s because they’re too honest to pretend they can’t. They feel like they have no other choice but to face it head-on.

    Dakedo nazeka sugu sono ba de
    But for some reason, right on the spot
    Kenka o kau you ni unazuku
    We nod as if we’re picking a fight
    Yaru shikanakatta shoujikimono yo
    We had no choice but to do it, you honest ones

    They realize this is a test. The adults probably expect them to give up. They want to see them fail.

    From the Sidelines to the Frontline

    The perspective shifts. For so long, they’ve just watched things happen from a safe distance. But now, it’s their turn. The rules say you can’t just pass. You have to play the hand you’re dealt, even if it’s a bad one. They choose to cry on the front lines rather than live with regret in a safe zone.

    Anzen chitai ni ite
    Being in a safe zone
    Koukai o suru yori
    Is worse than having regrets
    Tatoe kizutsuite mo
    So even if we get hurt
    Ichiban mae de nakou
    Let’s cry at the very front

    The Core Narrative of “Ima Ni Mite Iro”

    So, what’s this song really about? “Ima Ni Mite Iro” literally translates to “Just you wait and see.” It’s the ultimate comeback line. This is the story of underdogs being pushed into a corner and deciding to push back harder. It’s a declaration of war against doubt, fueled by the burning desire to prove everyone wrong.

    The “Just You Wait” Promise

    The biggest takeaway here is the power of defiance. The song asks, “Ima ni mite iro, douiu iro da?” which means, “Just you wait and see, what color is it?” The color they’re talking about is the one made from biting your lip and fighting through pain. It’s the color of their spirit.

    It’s a promise to themselves. They will achieve what they set out to do, no matter how impossible it seems. The dream they’re chasing might be huge and terrifying, but they’re going to cross that bridge anyway. It’s a powerful message: your struggle has value, and your determination will paint its own beautiful, fierce color.

    What do you think? Does this song fire you up, or do you see a different story in the lyrics? Let’s talk about it!

    Lyrics: "Ima Ni Mite Iro" by Keyakizaka46


    Keyakizaka46 – Ima Ni Mite Iro [Lyrics KANJI]


    ある日 突然 大人たちから
    「やってみないか?」って言われて
    どうするつもりだ?臆病者よ

    今の僕たちじゃ無理だって
    もちろん みんなわかってるよ (HA-)

    だけど なぜか すぐその場で
    喧嘩を買うように頷く
    やるしかなかった 正直者よ

    きっと試されてるのだろう
    無理難題 押し付ければ
    絶対 ギブアップするって…

    誰かの背中越しに
    世の中 眺めてた
    自分の番が来ても
    パスはできないルール

    イマニミテイロ どういう色だ?
    唇噛み締めながら頑張って来た色

    心の奥で何度も呟(つぶや)いた
    言葉は何色? いつの日にかミテイロ

    いつか見てたあの夢よりも
    実物はこんな大きくて
    二の足を踏んだ小心者よ

    もっと時間があればなんて
    負け惜しみ 言いたくもなるさ (HA-)

    誰も超えて行かなきゃいけない
    自分の中の橋があるんだ
    さあ 渡ろうぜ 腰抜けどもよ

    責める者はいないだろうって
    自己弁護は見苦しいよね
    黙って立ち去ればいい

    安全地帯にいて
    後悔をするより
    たとえ傷ついても
    一番前で泣こう

    イマニミテイロ どういう色だ?
    苦しい時に何度も 夢に見て来た色
    願ったことは必ず叶えるよ
    気持ちは何色? 言ってみたいザマアミロ

    無謀だと言われたけど
    逃げるわけには いかないんだ
    こんなに広い世界で
    僕たちは歌う

    イマニミテイロ どういう色だ?
    唇噛み締めながら頑張って来た色
    心の奥で何度も呟(つぶや)いた
    言葉は何色? いつの日にかミテイロ

    Keyakizaka46 – Ima Ni Mite Iro [Lyrics ROMAJI]


    Aru hi totsuzen otona-tachi kara
    “Yatte minai ka?” tte iwarete
    Dou suru tsumori da? Okubyō mono yo

    Ima no boku-tachi ja muri datte
    Mochiron minna wakatteru yo (HA-)

    Dakedo naze ka sugu sono ba de
    Kenka o kau you ni unazuku
    Yaru shika nakatta shoujiki mono yo

    Kitto tamesareteru no darou
    Muri nanzai oshitsukereba
    Zettai gibuappu suru tte…

    Dareka no senaka goshi ni
    Yo no naka nagameteta
    Jibun no ban ga kitemo
    Pasu wa dekinai ruuru

    Ima ni mite iro dou iu iro da?
    Kuchibiru kamishime nagara ganbatte kita iro

    Kokoro no oku de nando mo tsubuyaita
    Kotoba wa nani iro? Itsu no hi ni ka mite iro

    Itsuka miteta ano yume yori mo
    Jitsubutsu wa konna ookikute
    Ni no ashi o funda shoushinmono yo

    Motto jikan ga areba nante
    Makeoshimi iitaku mo naru sa (HA-)

    Dare mo koete ikanakya ikenai
    Jibun no naka no hashi ga aru nda
    Saa watarou ze koshinukedomo yo

    Semeru mono wa inai darou tte
    Jiko bengo wa mikurushii yo ne
    Damatte tachi sareba ii

    Anzen chitai ni ite
    Koukai o suru yori
    Tatoe kizu tsuite mo
    Ichiban mae de nakou

    Ima ni mite iro dou iu iro da?
    Kurushii toki ni nando mo yume ni mite kita iro
    Negatta koto wa kanarazu kanaeru yo
    Kimochi wa nani iro? Itte mitai zamaa miro

    Mubou da to iwareta kedo
    Nigeru wake ni wa ikanai nda
    Konna ni hiroi sekai de
    Boku-tachi wa utau

    Ima ni mite iro dou iu iro da?
    Kuchibiru kamishime nagara ganbatte kita iro
    Kokoro no oku de nando mo tsubuyaita
    Kotoba wa nani iro? Itsu no hi ni ka mite iro

    Keyakizaka46 – Ima Ni Mite Iro [English translation]


    One day, suddenly, the adults
    Asked us, “Why don’t you try it?”
    What are you going to do about it, you cowards?!

    We know it’s impossible for us right now,
    Of course, everyone understands that. (HA-)

    But for some reason, right then and there,
    We nodded as if accepting a challenge.
    There was no choice but to do it, you honest folks!

    I’m sure we’re being tested,
    That if they push us with difficult challenges,
    We’ll definitely give up…

    We used to observe the world
    From behind someone else’s back.
    Even when it’s our turn,
    It’s a rule that we can’t pass.

    “Watch us now” – what kind of color is that?
    It’s the color of effort, biting our lips as we worked hard.

    What color are the words
    I whispered repeatedly deep in my heart? Someday, you’ll see our color!

    Compared to that dream we once saw,
    The reality is so much bigger,
    And we hesitated, you timid souls!

    “If only we had more time…”
    You might want to say things like that out of sour grapes. (HA-)

    Everyone has a bridge inside them
    That they must cross.
    Come on, let’s cross it, you cowards!

    Thinking “no one will blame us” –
    Self-defense like that is unsightly, isn’t it?
    It’s better to just keep quiet and leave.

    Instead of being in a safe zone
    And regretting it later,
    Even if we get hurt,
    Let’s cry at the very front.

    “Watch us now” – what kind of color is that?
    It’s the color we’ve dreamed of countless times during tough moments.
    We’ll definitely make our wishes come true.
    What color are these feelings? I want to say, “Serves you right!”

    Even though they called us reckless,
    We can’t just run away.
    In such a vast world,
    We will sing.

    “Watch us now” – what kind of color is that?
    It’s the color of effort, biting our lips as we worked hard.
    What color are the words
    I whispered repeatedly deep in my heart? Someday, you’ll see our color!

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