ROM

**ROM** is a compilation album by Sayonara Ponytail which celebrates the group's 10th anniversary. It features illustrations by Nakamori Kemuri.

It consists of 3 discs, 36 tracks, and was released on November 3, 2019.

## Content

**ROM** is a curated compilation of many of Sayonara Ponytail's most well-known tracks across all their albums and singles. In addition, it contains tracks which had previously only been included in limited releases, giving them a wider release. This includes *Humming no Iro*, *Kami-sama no Itazura*, and *Himitsu no Jikan*. The track *Yume Nandesu.* also received its first album release through **ROM**. Furthermore, the tracks *Ippai Shippai* and *Ten* were newly released for the album.

The discs and tracklists are arranged by songwriter; the first disc compiles songs produced by Fukkun; the second compiles songs produced by 324P; and the third compiles 5 songs from Maumau, 5 from Megu, and the 2 *World* songs by Kuroneko.

## Packaging and Design

The album cover depicts the five vocalists and Kuroneko on a shore with a nearby forest. The vocalists are dressed in school uniforms (a.k.a. *sailor fuku*) and gathered around a pole; Ayumin sits on a ladder and blows bubbles, Yuyu stands by a desk and plays a melodica, Nacchan sits on a log stump, wears headphones, and plays a Nintendo Game Boy, Miina sits on a chair holding a red flower, and Shuka sits on a toy unicorn while gazing off into the distance.

The illustration also contains numerous allusions to Sayonara Ponytail's 10-year history.

### Setting Allusions

* The pole and the shore setting mimic the setting of Yumemiru Wakusei (The Dreaming Planet).
* The log stump may be a reference to the forest setting of Kitarubeki Sekai (What's Meant to Be).
* In the background, the setting of Enban Utopia can be seen. The conic structures and shore are also the key landmarks of SayoPony World, and can subsequently be found referenced in other Sayonara Ponytail releases.

### Clothing Allusions

* Kuroneko's shako hat recalls the uniforms from Shinsekai Koukyougaku.
* Nacchan's wears a yellow sweater, which she has occasionally been depicted as wearing, yet the addition of headphones makes it match her appearance from Mata Ashita ne.
* Shuka wears a conical witch hat, which is a common motif of Sayonara Ponytail.
* Yuyu and Shuka are lacking the blue collars that Miina, Nacchan, and Ayumin have: similar uniform motifs were present on the covers of Himitsu no Jikan and Kitarubeki Sekai (What's Meant to Be).

### Item Allusions

* The broom beside Kuroneko may be from  Mahou no Melody's album cover.
* The bubble-blowing by Ayumin likely references the music video for Sora mo Toberu Hazu.
* The toy unicorn may be a reference to the *Kill la Kill* edition of Shinsekai Koukyougaku.
* The bush prop below Shuka is from Nandaka Kimi ga Koishikute.
* The globe in front of the bush prop references the cover of Yumemiru Wakusei (The Dreaming Planet).
* The bicycle beside Shuka is a possible reference to the song  Jitensha Express (Bicycle Express).

## Bonuses

ROM came with two early-purchase bonuses: a random totebag featuring one of the Sayonara Ponytail vocalists and a pinback button featuring Kuroneko. These bonuses were exclusive for Tower Records Japan stores.

## Post-release

The album charted on the Oricon Albums Chart for 1 week, peaking at 48.

## Music Videos

Shinsekai Koukyougaku (Region Blocked: Japan Only)

Natalie (Region Blocked: Japan Only)

Hikaru Machi e

Bokura no Kisetsu (Region Blocked: Japan Only)

Yume Nandesu. (Region Blocked: Japan Only)

Futaribocchi (Region Blocked: Japan Only)

Himitsu no Jikan (Region Blocked: Japan Only)

Omoide ga Kanashiku Naru Mae Ni

Mukiryoku Switch

Koisuru Sports (Region Blocked: Japan Only)

Natsu no Mahou

Sora Tobu Koguma, Junrei Su

Seishun Nostalgia

Hey!! Nyan (Region Blocked: Japan Only)

Dance Floor to Kabocha no Obake (Region Blocked: Japan Only)

Enban Utopia

Superstar

## Trivia

* The album is ostensibly named after "ROM" from "CD-ROM", an acronym meaning 'compact disc read-only memory'.
* Nakamori Kemuri would later illustrate the album Ginga.

## External Links

* Streaming
	+ Apple Music: English | Japanese
	+ OTOTOY
	+ Spotify: English | Japanese
	+ YouTube
	+ YouTube Music

## References

1. ↑ Limited Edition cover art for Sora mo Toberu Hazu / Bianca / Koisuru Sports, inside cover for Kimi no Kotoba
2. ↑ https://blackcatsbox.tumblr.com/image/23534633888
3. ↑ Official Oricon data