
A Japanese musician describes his delightfully surprising encounter with a fellow music and anime lover from Europe.
Sometimes the best memories are made when and where you’d least expect them.
Japanese Twitter user and seasoned saxophone player @sangsongsing experienced one such serendipitous encounter as he was coming home on a flight from Europe. As he was dabbling in copying and composing some music to pass the time, a Dutch man sitting next to him took an interest in what he was doing and ended up being in tune (pun intended) with a lot more than @sangsongsing was expecting. Read his tweet about the chance conversation below:
欧州帰りの飛行機で楽譜を書いてたら、隣に座ったオランダ兄貴に
— さんそん (@sangsongsing) September 6, 2018
「楽譜を書けるなんてクールだ!何を書いてるんだ?」
って言われて、流石にガイナックス組曲書いてるとも言えず
「現代音楽ですぅ」
って答えたら
「いやいやそれグレンラガンじゃないか最高にクールだっ!」って。
知 っ て た。
“As I was scoring music on my return flight from Europe, the Dutch guy sitting next to me said, ‘It’s so cool that you can compose music! What are you working on now?’ to which I replied (without saying that it was Gainax [anime studio] music), ‘Some pop music.’ He then said, ‘No no, isn’t that music from Gurren Lagann [2007 anime]? You’re awesome!’
He. Knew.”
▼ The opening theme of Gurren Lagann (2007)
https://twitter.com/ModernAnimeOP/status/1036693983467118592@sangsongsing then posted a follow-up message a few minutes later:
オランダ兄貴、なんか俺の楽譜をチラチラ見ながら、膝の上で指ピロピロしてるなと思ってたら、なんと楽譜見ながら鍵盤引いて何の曲かわかったそうな。どうもピアノを趣味でやってるとのこと。
— さんそん (@sangsongsing) September 6, 2018
「俺このあとAKIHABARAに行くんだぜ超楽しみだっフーッ!」ってテンションマックスオランダ兄貴可愛かった。
“It turns out that the Dutch guy, while glancing at my score from time to time, was tapping his fingers on his knee as if he were playing the keyboard. He figured out what song it was because playing the piano was his hobby. He also told me that he was so excited to be on his way to Akihabara. I have to admit that the supe enthusiastic Dutch guy was super cute.”
Some net users were skeptical of his story, claiming that there’s no way it actually happened, while others left excited comments online:
“This kind of fortuitous encounter is wonderful.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like writing a musical score…”
“Gainax’s musical selection is the best!”
“I really want that Dutch guy to enjoy Japan.”
“Yesterday at Akihabara’s Yodobashi Camera store there was a foreign guy playing “Libera Me” from Gurren Lagann in the keyboard corner. I wonder…”
In any case, we know that @sangsongsing definitely has some good taste in music. On Twitter he notes his favorite musical scores as being from Cowboy Bebop, Legend of Mana (1999 PlayStation game), Enchanted (2007 live-action Disney film), Yoko Kanno (composer of Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Vision of Escaflowne), and the Seatbelts (band led by Yoko Kanno that performed the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack). Who knows what other foreign fellow fans he’ll meet on his next trip abroad when he opens his composition book.
Source: My Game News Flash
Featured image: Pakutaso

Batman Ninja anime’s awesome preview video is every bit as crazy cool as the concept sounds【Vid】
Anime music legend Yoko Kanno to compose music for Japan’s Takarazuka all-female revue
Overseas Uber driver and anime fan gets the Cowboy Bebop surprise of a lifetime【Video】
Italian jazz pianist unleashes inner Ghibli fanboy, releases anime theme song album
Evangelion original anime studio Gainax is now completely dissolved, Eva’s creator mourns ruined friendships
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Starbucks Japan reveals new holiday goods for the 2024 festive season
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Anime Music Video Encourages the World to Continue Dreaming About Japan
Cowboy Bebop fragrance line created to celebrate anime’s 25th anniversary
SoraNews24’s Otaku Aniki is here to give you the three must-watch anime of the spring season【Vid】
A singalong song from Japan to surpass “Paprika?” Presenting “Karaoke Neko-chan”【Video】
Will listening to Japan’s biggest earworm song for five hours drive you insane? Let’s find out!
Does Japan’s T.M. Revolution J-rock cake really look like the song it’s named after?
Our reporter/Yngwie Malmsteen’s request for anime actress Kotori Koiwai, and her shocking answer
Let’s get some cash from Japan’s sexy anime men ATMs【Photos, video】
A skeptic’s guide to anime – Five series to ease you into Japan’s most popular export
Leave a Reply