Dango Daikazoku – Studying Songs

“Dango Daikazoku” is a popular Japanese song that became quite well-known for being the ending theme of the anime “Clannad”. It is performed by Chata, a Japanese singer known for her contributions to various anime soundtracks. Let’s explore a bit more about this song, its history, and meaning, as well as studying the lyrics of the song.

History and Origins

“Dango Daikazoku” was composed and arranged by Jun Maeda and Shinji Orito, members of the musical group Key Sounds Label. The song is part of the soundtrack of the visual novel game “Clannad”, released by Key in 2004. Later, in 2007, “Clannad” was adapted into an anime series by the studio Kyoto Animation.

The song became iconic as the ending theme of the first season of the anime “Clannad” and is mainly associated with the character Nagisa Furukawa, one of the protagonists of the series. The lyrics of the song talk about everyday life and the importance of family, themes that are central to the story of “Clannad”.

Meaning and Themes

“Dango Daikazoku” is a sweet and catchy song that speaks about the importance of family and the bonds that unite us. The term “Dango Daikazoku” translates approximately as “the big family of dumplings” in Japanese. In this context, the “dumplings” symbolize the family members, united and supporting each other.

The song conveys a sense of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. It evokes feelings of love, care, and family connection, something that resonates deeply with many viewers. The simplicity and tenderness of the melody perfectly match the message of unity and family affection that permeates “Clannad”.

Reception and Legacy

“Dango Daikazoku” was received with great enthusiasm by fans of “Clannad” and anime in general. The song became extremely popular and is often remembered as one of the most memorable and emotional anime ending songs.

In addition to its popularity as an ending song, “Dango Daikazoku” has also been covered and reinterpreted by various artists and musicians over the years, highlighting its lasting influence on anime music culture.

Translating and Studying

だんご だんご だんご だんご だんご だんご 大家族 (2x)
dango dango dango dango dango dango daikazoku

Big Dango Family

• だんご = 団子 = Dango – Japanese Sweet;
• 大家族 – Big family;

やんちゃな焼きだんご 優しい餡だんご
 yanchana yakidango yasashi andango

A naughty and disobedient dango, a sweet and gentle dango

• やんちゃ – naughty, mischievous, rascal, playful boy
• 焼きだんご – Grilled dango
• 優しい – gentle, graceful, affectionate, kind

すこし夢見がちな月見だんご
 Sukoshi yumemigachi na tsukimi dango

The dango that sees the moon is a bit dreamy

• すこし – a little
• 夢見 – dream, have a dream
• 月見 – moon viewing

おすましごまだんご ４つ子串だんご
 Osumashi goma dango yotsu ko kushi dango

The neat sesame dango, the four dango on the skewer

• おすまし – neatness, proper, prim person
• ごま – 胡麻 – sesame seeds
• ４つ – four
• 子 – Child (4 small dango)
• 串 – Skewer

みんな みんな あわせて １００人家族
 Minna minna awasete hyakunin kazoku

Everyone comes together and becomes a family of one hundred

• みんな – people, everyone
• あわせて – together, total, collectively
• １００人家族 – family of one hundred

赤ちゃんだんごは いつも幸せの中で
 Akachan dango wa itsumo shiawase no naka de

A baby dango is always cradled in happiness

• 赤ちゃん – baby
• いつも – always
• 幸せの – happiness
• 中 – inside, in the midst

年寄りだんごは 目を細めてる
 Toshiyori dango wa me o hosometeru

An old dango looks with his narrow eyes

• 年寄 – elderly, old
• 目 – eyes
• 細めてる – narrow (is)

仲良しだんご 手をつなぎ 大きなまるい輪になるよ
 Nakayoshi dango te o tsunagi ooki na marui wani naruyo

The friendly dango will hold hands and make a big circle

• 仲良し – close friends, dear friend, best buddies
• 手 – hand
• つなぎ – tie, unite, connect, join
• 大きな- big
• まるい – circle
• 輪になるよ – circle, tie, wheel

町を作りだんご星の上 みんなで笑いあうよ
 Machi o tsukuri dango boshi no ue minna de waraiau yo

They will create a village on a dango planet and everyone laughs together

• 町 – town, village
• 作り – make, produce, build, manufacture
• 星 – star, celestial body, planet
• 上 – on top, above
• みんな – everyone, people
• 笑い – laugh, smile
• あうよ – invitation to action (together)

うさぎも空で手を振って見てる でっかいお月さま
 Usagi mo sora de te o futte miteru dekkai otsuki-sama

The rabbits are waving from the big moon

• うさぎ – rabbit
• 空 – sky
• 手 – hand (waving hands)
• 振って – shake, swing
• 見てる – watching
• でっかい – huge; big; gigantic
• お月さま – Moon (respectful way)

嬉しいこと 悲しいことも 全部丸めて
Ureshii koto kanashii koto mo zenbu marumete

Enjoy all things, happy and sad

• 嬉しい – happy, pleasant, cheerful
• こと – things
• 悲しい – sad
• 全部 – all, everything
• 丸めて – roll up, twist, pile up (enjoy?)

From here the song returns to the chorus, so we won’t explain, ending with:

lalala・・・・・ララララ。。。

だんご だんご だんご だんご だんご だんご 大家族 (4x)