Red Shoe Parade

"In the name of divine justice..."

- Paraders

Red Shoe Parade is a song released by Akuno-P in collaboration with Jounetsu-P on December 26, 2010. The song is based upon a story written by Yukina Freesis of the same name.

Plot
Set in an unidentified location, the members of the "Shadow Parade" set out in matching red shoes. They say they seek the end, wherever it is. On the road, they encounter someone they deem a "wicked thief," whom they steal from before he can steal from them "in the name of divine justice." As they travel along, they become hungry. Finding a house that the paraders claim belongs to another "wicked thief," they steal the food inside after saying thanks. They carry the "emblem of the moon" on their backs and their red footsteps echo out. In the afternoon, the parade becomes "sick for human warmth," finds a family of "wicked thieves" and rapes them. The parade then comes across a "wicked thief" who is laughing so they kill him out of envy, again, "in the name of divine justice." Now covered in blood, they demand people admire their never ending march as their iron footsteps echo.

Later on in the song, a whistle signals the end of their journey as guards herd the paraders into a prison. Many days later the parade is released and they journey forth, again in matching red shoes. As they journey forth, people stare at them- some laugh, while some cry. Their red shoes begin to burn their feet like fire, as the parade realize the shoes they wear are actually red hot iron. The parade burns out, as they are punished for their deeds.

Composition
Reminiscent of a Spanish folk melody, the song uses castanets, bongos, spanish guitar, piano, accordion, and background noises including the sounds of whistling, and the ringing of bells. The VOCALOID2 voicebanks for Megurine Luka, Hatsune Miku, and both Kagamine Rin and Len are utilized.

The song begins with percussion, and the first chorus is sung at 0.08. An instrumental break is used until 0.33, when the first begins, sung by Miku. The verse continues and switches to Rin and Len. At 1.05, Luka begins to sing the pre-chorus, which everyone joins in later to sing the second chorus at 1.21. The second verse continues in the style that the first did, except Luka and Miku can be heard for the respective part. Rin and Len sing together in the next part, and sing the second pre-chorus together. The third chorus begins at 2.30, followed by a longer instrumental break ending at 3.13, when the bridge begins. The music briefly ends at 3.30, followed by the whistling sounds. Immediately after, the bridge continues, cheerily, with a final chorus, deviating from the first three. The song ends with a final verse, and the sound of bells can be heard at 4.40.

Lyrics
Japanese=

Romaji=

The Frog's and My Love Romance
The Frog's and My Love Romance recounts another story that is based on a Freesis Fairytale.

Madam Merry-Go-Round
Madam Merry-Go-Round contains a reference to the "Shadow Parade," Red Shoe Parade's English name.

Appearances
Characters=

Conceptualization and Origin

 * The story is inspired by the Brothers Grimm's tale "Snow White"; in the story, the Queen is forced to "dance" to her death while wearing red-hot iron shoes as a violent form of justice in retribution of her narcissism.
 * It may also be inspired by Journey to the West which also includes four travelers together on an adventure, albeit for the opposite reasons.

Curiosities

 * The Evils Court crossfade suggests that the song will be played as the residents of Evil's Theater march to Hell so that the Master of the Court can fully enjoy their march to the underworld.
 * In the Evils Court booklet, Gammon Octo criticizes the song's characters and their use of "justice" as an excuse for their immoral behavior.
 * The "Shadow Parade" is a reference to Madam Merry-Go-Round, where those entering her "utopia" for her services are called as such, reinforcing the irony of the Director Doll's fate for planning to turn hell into a utopia.
 * Ironically, the song echoes the Shadow Parade's fate, with their blood-covered, red shoes and iron collars returning to them in the form of red-hot iron shoes and shackles at the time of their execution.

Gallery
Song PV=