Roman [Records]

It's time to find Roman...
(Bonjour, this is Hiver reporting that this [Records] took so much time and dedication. Please take your time read it and enjoy it, and feel free to share it, I worked extra hard on this one (☪￣3￣✥)╭~♥)

Roman - 5th Story CD was released on November 22, 2006. Was the 3rd Mayor Album, the 5th Story CD and 5th Horizon.

Was the 1st concept album under Sound Horizon's "Second Phase" system. Aramary left the group and was replaced by 7 singers and 14 voice actors. Also, this was the first album where Revo himself sang.

The album contains 11 songs. Also 2 bonus [hidden] tracks could be obtained from a website. And another bonus track from a privilige in a shop.

The release had two versions: A Regular Edition and Limited Edition First Press.

Benefits:

The "Roman" First Press Limited Edition came with a copy of the "Roman Perfect Guide Book".

(Here you can look at it. Needs some translation. Here Kaido's TL for Yokoyan interview & Revo's note.)

Also the Limited Edition came with a special edition box and an original-style handkerchief featuring a hidden code message.

Handkerchief & Paper sheet

This was limited to 20,000 copies for the first-press limited edition. The regular edition included a paper sheet with the same content.

The rest of the benefit depending of which store you bought the copy:

Tower Records: ”Revo Special Remix CD” Anecdote of 5th story "Another Roman" for those who pre-order by October 15th at Tower Records nationwide. Contains 1 song (5 minutes 46 seconds) which is a remix of the song 朝と夜の物語 (Asa to Yoru no Monogatari, The Story of Morning and Night) with slightly different lyrics.
TSUTAYA: "Another Roman" booklet drawn by Yokoyan with it's lyrics.
Toranoana: "ROMAN Digest CD version Revo" for those who pre-order the CD at Toranoana. Contains 1 song (14 minutes 23 seconds) which is a compilation of all the songs from the 5th Story CD Roman, including the bonus tracks truemessage and yaneuraroman.
Yamagiwa: Original postcard. → (No records of this benefit)
Gamers: Original autographed colored paper.

"Can a roman be found there...?"
Magmani: Original jacket bromide. → (No records of this benefit)
Animate: Alternate Cover jacket.

Hidden Tracks:

On the last page of the lyrics book, at the bottom of the credits for staff, a special website called "Message" was linked: "http://www.kingrecords.co.jp/soundhorizon/roman/".

This was the first hidden tracks behinds a website riddle. You can still do it on this website now.

The riddle had an 11 character limit answer. And only two answers/tracks ("truemessage" and "yaneuraroman") were obtained by entering different combinations of the Roman passwords (Will explain in more details how the Roman Code Passwords work in "Extra Notes").

truemessage.mp3 (Le vrai message): The password to obtain it was "Shiawasenionarinasai" (しあわせにおなりなさい). This track is the same as the track "The 11-Lettered Message" but the coded portion sung as 『La la la la la…La la la la la la...』by Maman in the original is replaced with the actual message 『L・i・v・e・H・a・p・p・i・l・y』 (しあわせにおなりなさい), the singer sings the actual message here.(https://cnt.kingrecords.co.jp/soundhorizon/roman/dl/truemessage.mp3)

yaneuraroman.mp3 (Attic Story): The password to obtain it was "oriawaseshininasaina" (おりあわせしになさいな). Due to this track being revealed through hints in "The Sage of Twilight", it is commonly assumed that the narrator of this track is the Sage himself. (https://cnt.kingrecords.co.jp/soundhorizon/roman/dl/yaneuraroman.mp3)

Events & Lives:

The [Concert Tour 2006-2007 "Roman ~The Story That Connects Us ~"] was held five times:

Tokyo performance on November 26, 2006 (Sunday) at Tokyo Nakano Sun Plaza.
Aichi performance on December 5, 2006 (Tuesday) at Zepp Nagoya in Nagoya.
Osaka performance December 6, 2006 (Wednesday) at Osaka·Namba Hatch.
Additional performance in Osaka January 6, 2007 (Saturday) at the Art Hall of the Osaka Welfare and Welfare Pension Center in Osaka.
Additional performance in Tokyo on January 8, 2007 (Monday/Holiday) at the Tokyo Employees' Pension Hall in Tokyo.

(Pictures taken from google. Specifically: http://blog.livedoor.jp/)
Participants:

Vocal & Voice Actors: Hiver Laurant, KAORI, YUUKI, REMI, RIKKI, Jimang and Ike Nelson.
Musicians: Guitars: Shingo Saito "Jake"; Bass: Jun Hasegawa; Drums: Kenichi Fujimoto; Keyboards: Kyoko Osako; Percussions: Naomi Ishikawa; 1st Violin: Kyoko Ishigame; 2nd Violin: Riyoko Matsui; Viola: Maki Fukumoto; Cello: Maiko Sato
Manipulator: Manabu Saka

(Some of the Live goods)

Click to enlarge the picture

Invitation to the Coronation Ceremony

Click to enlarge the picture

The [Christmas 【 Special Event 】] was held on December 24, 2006 at B1 "Stage One" in Tower Records Shibuya store in Tokyo.

Participants: Revo , KAORI , YUUKI , REMI and Jimang.

By purchasing the LE or RE of "Roman" at TOWER RECORDSs from November 21st to December 11th, 2006 you receive a special return-postcard to apply to go to this event.

It was a mini event that lasted just under an hour. The first song was "The Endia & The Knights", followed by "The Sage at Dusk," "The Story of Morning and Night," and "Yield" chorus.
The ["Roman ~The Story That Connects Us ~" DVD Screening] was a free screening that you apply by sending a return-postcard. It was held:

March 21, 2007: Sendai Civic Hall Small Hall
April 7, 2007: Kyoto Educational and Cultural Center
April 8, 2007: Fukuoka IMS Hall
April 14, 2007: Green Hall, Chofu City, Tokyo
April 21, 2007: Nagoya Ikebukuro Gas Hall

Participants: Hiver Laurant and Savant.

The event activity was: A free screening of the "DVD: Sound Horizon Concert Tour 2006-2007 "Roman ~ The Story That Connects Us ~"" with MC interludes.

Click to enlarge the picture

Upon entering a B5 size DVD flyer was given.

"Is there a story there...."

Goods: The same goods from the Roman live tour and the online shop goods were being sold. The new event merchandise was a cellphone strap, the design of the cellphone was the same from the Roman Live tour, but the design of the backing card had been altered (the backing card for the Live was the black sword from Shonen...).

(Left: backing for the Roman live tour. Right: backing for the Screening of the Roman DVD)

According to Revo's blog during this time Revo "was" visiting Rouen, France so he send Savant and Hiver in his place and asked Hiver to give him reports of the events. This exchange was in the form of letters. These letters were originally confidential but were made public by a certain individual and got published in the form of diaries and multiple hidden web pages. (More info in the "Extra Notes")
In the future, a large number of plots and allusions came from this series, including the grand Live set "マーベラス超宇宙" (Marvelous Microcosmos), which would be performed at every live show, have numerous related merchandise, and be officially included in the 9th Story CD, among others

DVD & PV: Promotional Video:

Promotional Video: 「見えざる腕」, "Miezaru ude", (The Invisible Arm).
DVD: Sound Horizon Concert Tour 2006-2007 "Roman ~ The Story That Connects Us ~" released on April 25, 2007 by KING RECORDS.

The DVD includes the performance from the January 8, 2007. Additionally, the music video for the songs 「見えざる腕」, "Miezaru ude", (The Invisible Arm) and 「終端の王と異世界の騎士」, "Shuutan no Ou to Isekai no Kishi", (The King of End and the Knights from Other Worlds) are also included.

The DVD was released in two versions: the RE and the First press LE. The First press LE features special packaging and includes a 48-page concert photo book, a "Sound Horizon Kingdom Passport", and other special enclosed bonuses. It also includes a "NG (Not Good) Footage Collection" that is not found in the regular edition.

Store Benefits:

Tower Records: Another Box "Night Color".
TSUTAYA RECORDS: Another box "Morning Color".
Toranoana: Passport cover
Magmani: Bromide (photographic portrait). → (No records of this benefit)
Melon Books: Postcard. → (No records of this benefit)
Yamagiwa: Postcard. → (No records of this benefit)

Mangas & Novels:

Manga: On April 19, 2007, the comic adaptation of "Roman" began to be serialized in the May issue of the comic magazine "ULTRA JUMP". Written by Yukimaru Katsura (桂遊生丸) who had previously done the Ark manga adaptation, in that publication there was an interview "Revo × Yukimaru Katsura ROMAN Talk" referring to their upcoming collaboration, this Roman adaptation (Link to read the full scans of the interview. Translation still needed).

Later in 2008, the Volume 1 was released and in 2009 the volume 2.

When it was released as volumes, the order of chapters and pictures were adjusted, and some of the content is different from the serialized version.

Hiver introduction - Differences Magazine and Tankoubon

On December 1, 2015 the volumes were reprinted, and a electronic version was release on the same day. For the re-release, the title of the first chapter was changed from "The Story of Morning and Night" (朝と夜の物語) to "Flame" (焔), and "The Story of Morning and Night" was added at the very end of the book.

Benefits:

Magazine Toranoana Bonus: "ULTRA JUMP" May 2008

Illustration Card signed by Yukimaru Katsura and Revo. A postcard-sized, illustrated by Yukimaru Katsura, featuring a new artwork specifically created for this bonus.

Volume 1 Toranoana Bonus:

Illustration Card signed by Yukimaru Katsura and Revo. A postcard-sized, illustrated by Yukimaru Katsura, featuring a new artwork specifically created for this bonus.

It can be combined with the illustration card from the May 2008 "ULTRA JUMP" issue to form a single artwork.

Volume 2 Toranoana Bonus:

Illustration Card signed by Yukimaru Katsura and Revo. A postcard-sized, illustrated by Yukimaru Katsura, featuring a new artwork specifically created for this bonus.

When the manga was announced an special website was launched on June 19, 2007 with an animation and music loading page.
You can visit the website here

There you could find a Story introduction, a link to read the first chapter online free trial, a character introduction, and part of an interview/dialogue with Revo × Yukimaru Katsura unpublished on the magazine.

Translation still needed

Where they talk a bit about the "The Tale of Morning and Night" chapter and "The Wine of Joy and Sorrow" chapter.

A New special page opened on December, 2015. For the reprinted version. There you could find a Story introduction, a link to read the first chapter online free trial and a character introduction.

The page is down but can be visit by Waybackmachine here
The August 2007 issue of ULTRA JUMP (released on July 19, 2007) featured also the Revo × Yukimaru Katsura Dialogue about Roman and a special interview about the soon-to-be-released Iberia of the Holy War (Seisen no Iberia).

Link to read the full scans of the interview. Translation still needed

At the same time, the special webpage for the Roman manga was updated with unpublished portions of the dialogue and a short video message from Revo. You can watch the video here.
During the Ultra Jump serialization, a lottery was held based on a reader survey, and one of the prize options was an illustrated plate featuring the three main characters.
The back covers of the two volumes can be combined to form a complete picture.
The obi (book jacket) of the first edition of the manga volume featured a message from Revo, and the obi of the second volume featured a message from Revo and also an illustration of Revo drawn by Yokoyan. In the reprinted editions, the obi content was changed to promote the Moira manga..
An autograph session with Yukimaru Katsura (桂遊生丸) was held on May 5, 2008, for Volume 1 and on January 25, 2009, for Volume 2. Each signing event was limited to 100 participants, with entry tickets distributed at designated Toranoana stores. Customers who purchased the respective manga volume at the store could opt to participate. Tickets were available on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to one ticket per person. The signature was restricted to the manga volume, with each person allowed one signature only.

Novel: During the extension of the 10th anniversary of Sound Horizon's commercial debut, "Roman" was adapted into the novel "Your Story Revolving around a Winter’s Morning and a Holy Night". Jumonji Ao and Hidari are responsible for the novel adaptation and illustration respectively. The first volume was released on February 3, 2016, and the second volume was released on July 2, 2016.

Benefits:

Store benefit for Vol. 1:

Animate: Clear file.
TSUTAYA: Newly Written Short Story: "In His Voice".
Toranoana: Special Signed Illustration Card.
Melonbooks: Special bookmark.

Store benefits for Vol. 2:

Gamers: Photo Print (Bromide).
Toranoana: Replica Signed Illustration Card.
Melonbooks: Special bookmark.
TSUTAYA: Newly Written Short Story: "25 Meters Away".

Store benefit buying combined Vol, 1 & 2:

Animate: Upper and Lower Volume Storage Box. Gifted when both volumes are purchased simultaneously or consecutively.
Melonbooks: Upper and Lower Volume Storage Sleeve Case

Twitter Retweet Giveaway:

@kadokawasneaker: In celebration of the future launch for the novel "Roman," on November 22, 2015: One retweeter was selected to receive a framed illustration signed by Ao Jūmonji and Hidari.
November 22 is the anniversary of the release for the album "Roman," and the tweet included the tag #Roman9thAnniversary.
@kadokawasneaker: In celebration of the novel’s release on February 3, 2016: Two retweeters were selected to receive a framed illustration signed by Ao Jūmonji and Hidari.
@S_Horizon_info: On June 27, 2016 to commemorate the release of the second volume of Roman on July 2. Ten winners will be selected by lottery from those who retweet this post to receive a replica of an original illustration by Sakura Kinoshita (who draw the manga "Elysion - A Story Around Two Paradises) with signatures from both the illustrator and Revo.

The obi (book wrap) of the first volume features a message from Akio Otsuka, a voice actor who participated in the Roman album doing narrations for the 1st, 3rd and 5th track, while the obi of the second volume includes a message from Revo.
The novel's special webpage was launched on December 2, 2015 with a proper revamp on January 29, 2016.

The page is down but can be visit by Waybackmachine here
The artist for the novel Hidari (@lleftt) shared a drawing promoting the Vol 1 of Roman Novel on twitter.

Here is the tweet

Extras Notes:

Both Roman's secret tracks were also included in the 2nd disk "Secret Story CD" from 『Chronology』, released on April 13, 2012.
Roman Code & Passwords:
In the lyrics on the booklet, certain letters are replaced with numbers. Each song replace a different letter with one number. The replaced numbers, in order from track 1 to 11, are 『0302, 0101, 1001, 0304, 0502, 0105, 0501, 0902, 0501, 0301, 0102』. Witch it's the same as the numbers on "The 11-Lettered Message" lyrics.

The code table is hidden on the back cover's backside (accessible by removing the CD plate case).

The first part of the number represents the columns and the last part represents the rows. For example, 0302 becomes 'し' in the 3rd column of the 2nd row. If you arrange the messages in this order, it comes out as follows. “しあわせにおなりなさい” (Become Happy).

However, you can place these messages in a different order. According to the narration in the song "The Sage of Twilight" (黄昏の賢者), "When the 'windmill' keeps spinning... the 'horizon' shall know the fifth story", the sequence of codes given there is 『0105 0902 0101 1001 0304 0302 0502 0501 0301 0102 0501』 this comes out: “おりあわせしになさいな” (Accept Death).

The Handkerchief message:

Using the same code to decipher the message is:
あなたのたびはまだこれからです
Your journey is just beginning.
うれしいこともかなしいこともたくさんあるでしょう
You will encounter many joyful and sorrowful moments.
し・あ・わ・せ・に・お・な・り・な・さ・い
Please become happy.
このはんかちがわたしのかわりにあなたとともにあります
This handkerchief will take my place and stay with you.
さあ…なみだをふいてーー
Now… dry your tearsーー
These number sequences are later used in other works as well.
"冬の伝言" (Winter's Message):
It's considered a response to "11文字の伝言" (The 11-Lettered Message) by Hiver. It was first performed during the encore of the additional performance of the 6th Story Concert "Moira". During the encore, Hiver Laurant appeared, promoting the "Roman" manga, the Laurant brand, and more, while also debuting this song. This song is a live only song so far.

Picture from the 5th Anniversary Movie “Across the Horizon” DVD
Bonus tracks connections: The bonus track "true message" (真実の伝言) melody at the end transitions to "The Story of Morning and Night" (朝と夜の物語), as the message said "Live Happily", just as in "The 11-Lettered Message" it loops back to Hiver searching for a Roman were he lives.

However, in the track "The Roman in the Attic" (屋根裏物語), which corresponds to the message "Accept Death", the opening melody of this track is identical to that of "The Story of Morning and Night" (朝と夜の物語), but it incorporates wind sound effects representing the spinning of a windmill like it mentions in "Savant of Twilight", which are absent from "The Story of Morning and Night". It also features the melody of "The Girl in the Attic" (屋根裏の少女) from ‹Pico Magic Reloaded› and it makes references to lyrics from that song and "The Flower Within the Cage" (檻の中の花) from the same album.

In "The Roman in the Attic", Michelle Malebranche, a character from the "attic series", awaits the birth of Hiver. After this, it transitions directly into "The Story of Morning and Night ~Another Roman Mix~", the first press limited edition bonus. The ending of "The Roman in the Attic" is exactly the same of the starting to "Another Roman". Also you can heard Michele laughs on "Another Roman".

If the story continues with the "True Message" it repeatedly loops back to "The Story of Morning and Night." However, if it branches to "The Roman in the Attic", in Another Roman, the song doesn't transitions to other song as Hiver becomes "The corpse of a man" and the dolls "The broken dolls".

This branching has led to interpretations of the story as having either multiple endings or a bad ending. The tracks "true message," "The Story of Morning and Night," "The Roman in the Attic," and "Another Roman" each connect in such a way that, according to the narrative, Hiver Laurant, after hearing the Message of 11 Characters, becomes confused by Michele’s sudden appearance. This results in him endlessly wandering the same world, ultimately decaying with the dolls in a tragic conclusion. To emphasize this we have Hiver’s line "Who is lying...?" .

However, in the 3rd Territorial Expansion concert, the reply to "true message" was performed as "Winter's Message", in which Hiver expresses gratitude for the feelings of his mother, who sought to bring him into existence. This addition is far removed from despair, embodying a rather joyous conclusion. However, the problem arises when, just as everything seems resolved, Michelle abruptly reappears at the last second saying "Go on... and be born, Hiver!", and "The Girl in the Attic" comes next. This has led many to speculate whether it is, in fact, a bad ending disguised as a happy one.
In November 6, 2007 the casting members for the 5th story CD "Roman" was announced on the oficial website. And instead of the name of Revo showing up there was the name of the character he would play as if they were separated identities. This is a tradition that started from this point, of Revo not being displayed as part of the casting and he acting like they aren't the same person.
The Oficial website was renewed to display a flash animated Roman top banner on November 22, 2006.
PicoRoman: On November 26, 2007, Revo uploaded the song "PicoRoman", a commemorative song for the release of "Roman", on his personal website.

It was an 8bit version of the Roman melody.

Listen to Picoroman
In the booklet the pages have holes in shapes of a moon, letting you see a word from the page behind it, this word foreshadows what song it's coming next.

At the end of each track, there is an epilogue chanted by the twin dolls: "Is there a story there...". If you take them out individually and sort them in the order of the songs prompted by "Savant of Twilight", then the music box in the background can form the main theme of "The Story of Morning and Night".

Is there a story there... Roman Music box re-order

Hiver-Revo correspondence:
During the period of the DVD screening Revo "send Hiver Laurant in his place to traveled around Japan since Revo was visiting Rouen, France at the moment" and they exchanged correspondence about reportings of the events. At the same time the Aprils Fool shenanigan on the blog happen. This story happen inside the blog and multiple hidden web pages. During this period a lot of references and allusions to future releases are revealed, like the mention of Moira Horizon and the 9th Horizon being related to "Mysterious Super-Universe" witch later become the "Marvelous Microcosmos". At the same time strange stuff happens to Revo and Hiver.

To read the complete interactions go to this file: "Hiver & Revo correspondence & April fools time travel"
That's a big file, please take your time and enjoy it, but for a TLDR of it here is a resume:

Hiver embarks on his mission to unite Laurants through Roman. At every stop, he connects fans through songs, chants of "Yeah!". Hiver's reports humorously detail local delicacies, cultural encounters, and the rising "YeahWave!" that brings fans together. Yet, cracks in the expedition begin to show. Hiver reveals signs of physical wear as his temporary body starts to falter, hinting at a deeper fragility. In Tokyo, Hiver undergoes a magical punishment from Madame Laurant, transforming him into the white cat "Launyan." Despite these trials, he pushes forward, fueled by his love for Laurants and the Roman.

Judah Laurant of the Mobile Kingdom Communication Bureau uncovers anomalies that suggest the kingdom is caught in a web of temporal distortion. Judah’s experiments with time travel lead to paradoxes, including a fateful encounter with his future self.

Meanwhile, Revo becomes increasingly haunted by strange occurrences: Plates in his attic mysteriously shatter with a sweet fragrance. His left and right hands exhibit "strange feelings," as if manipulated by unseen forces. His messages to Hiver are frequently disrupted, devolving into nonsensical symbols.

As the journey continues, Hiver’s reports grow more somber. He reveals that his body is reaching its limits, but he remains determined to complete his mission. In Nagoya, the final leg of the expedition, Hiver musters the last of his strength to deliver one final report. Hiver disappears, leaving behind only his correspondence and the echoes of his devotion to the Laurants. His temporary body disintegrates, consumed by the effort of carrying the flames of Roman.

Revo’s reaction is a mix of sorrow, resolve, and mystery. He acknowledges Hiver’s absence as a profound loss, mourning the disappearance of one of the kingdom’s brightest flames. Yet, he assures the Laurants that Hiver’s legacy will endure, woven into the fabric of Roman. Revo cryptically writes of Hiver’s ultimate sacrifice as opening the "door of destiny," a symbol of the eternal connection between Laurants. Though Hiver has vanished, his spirit lives on in the hearts of Laurants. Revo continues to guide his kingdom, weaving Roman into the lives of all who take part.

Revo's strange occurrences are connected to the success of the "Cage Trilogy," as Revo is supposed to be in Rouen, France, which is the same location where that story is taking place.

Lyrics translations taken from Flower Assato website
After Revo leave King Records the website for the code to unlocking the hidden tracks got down. And only after many years for Sound Horizon Anniversary they made the links functional again. During that time the message display on the website was this.

"Sorry...
Now that it is closed..."
Happy New Yeah: Is the merger of Happy New Year and "Yeah". The original meme came from the Internet. People often heard the "Pierre" in "The Story of Morning and Night" as "Yeah". This was also mentioned in the French lecture at the performance in Osaka on December 3, 2006. Later on Revo's blog on new year's day, December 31, 2006 he suggested to do a New Year countdown doing the "良く似た A Happy New Yeah!".

A a few days after on the blog he released the audio, which was the beginning of "The Story of Morning and Night", singing "良く似た A Happy New Yeah!" (A very similar Happy New Yeah!) and some extra lines.

Listen to Happy New Yeah

Later during the concert in Osaka on January 6, 2007 they sang "良く似た A Happy New Yeah!" when doing the "The Story of Morning and Night" song.

According to Revo's interview with "Anican R music (vol.2) N19" in 2007. Revo created the 5th Story under the concept of "Roman." First of all, "Roman" in French means "story." When received by Japanese audiences, it’s thought of in a broader sense, encompassing nuances like "romance" (as written in katakana). And he wanted each singer to interpret a character.

Revo's interview with 'Anikan R Music' Vol. 2 released in 2007. Full translation still needed
Revo mentioned in the interview in the "Revo & Yuki Kajiura Dream Port 2008 Memorial", published by Anikan on July 10, 2008, that during the production of Roman for external reasons he didn't had enough time, so to make the process easier he worked in a song at a time as a stand alone instead to try to connect all songs as a whole single story in one album like how he is planning for Moira.

Link to read the full scans of the Memorial interview. Translation still needed
According to Revo's online interview with "Anime-Exite" on November, 2006. The 11 songs are not entirely separate stories. Each one contains elements that could connect to another song, and the album itself is constructed to loop endlessly with these interconnections. Even the artwork in the booklet expresses this, weaving a narrative of repetition between morning and night. He also mentions he made connections to previous works.

Revo's online interview with Anime-Exite, 2006. Translation still needed
In the magazine QuickJapan vol.73 release on August, 2007 translated by Defade. Revo made a comment on individual albums. He mentions that many fans request a similar work, but he believes Roman has layers that can be appreciated even after years of listening. He doesn't feel the need to repeat the same subject.

Revo’s comments on individual albums from QuickJapan vol.73
From the 1st Roman concert, Sound Horizon was upgraded from a territory to a kingdom, and the lord became the king. And it also started to classified all the places they haven't perform yet as "foreign countries" until they were reached in a "territorial expansion expedition". Roman is also where the term Laurant was solidified as a name for Sound Horizon fans. It represents individuals with different stories, just like the characters in the album.
The melody that flows out during the "Coronation Ceremony" performance at the beginning of the concert/DVD later was know to be the main theme of the 6th Story CD " Moira ".
Animate released a campaign. Commercial debut 10th anniversary "Sound Horizon" old works market. During the campaign period (October 27 to November 30, 2014) you culd get a free Cover Size Sticker when you purchase some of the SH releases up to May 2012 at animate. There were four stickers options: "Elysion ~Paradise Fantasy Story Suite~", "Roman", "Moira", and "Märchen"
“Sound Horizon” x “Color Collection”: Starting in November 17, 2016 a collection of mini figure of 180 characters from Sound Horizon was released. The 1st set had a figure of Hortense, the 2nd set had Hiver, and the 3rd set had Violette. They are approximately 4 cm. In some store by preordering the 3 sets a tote bag came with them.
Various Merchandising:

Pin badge/Can badge: available in Gachapon machines during the live events & Sound Horizon Cafe.
A set of two scrunchies with Hortense and Violette motifs. Available for a limited time on the Official Web Shop.
Jewelry Pouch Hortense or Violette version. Available as one of the goods for the [First Territory Revival Expedition] from July to September, 2011 and also in the Web Shop. It was 2,000 yen.
Roman Drop Candy Can Set. Hiver Can (Soda Flavor), Violette Can (Grape Flavor) & Hortense Can (Muscat Flavor). Available in the Web Shop in 2012. It was 1,800 yen.
Roman cushion. Available in the Web Shop in 2012. It was 5,500 yen.
Roman Tumbler. Available in the Web Shop in 2012. It was 2,000 yen.
Hortense & Violette Pullip dolls were first displayed exclusively at the Pullip Doll 10th Anniversary Exhibition, held at Parco Museum from February 22 to March 11, 2013. However, due to popular demand (1961 people), it was decided to release them publicly through pre-orders. It was 22,000 yens each.
Screen cleaner featuring Hortense and Violette. Available from Sound Horizon Cafe featuring “Nein”, specifically "A Flame Never Extinguished by Tears", around 2015/10/19~2016/01/12 .
Sound Horizon Kingdom "Royal Hortensia Fragrance" & "Royal Violet Fragrance". Available in the Web Shop limited product section in October, 2015. It was 9,400 yens each.
Roman shoes a MAYLA x Sound Horizon collaboration to celebrate the 20th anniversary, release in July, 2024. Inspired in Violette, Hiver & Hortense.

Sanhora Lab: On August 26, 2020 the second research theme, 5th Story CD "Roman" as part of the Sound Horizon Around 15th Anniversary release. In which three writers who are familiar with SH (Akihiro Tomita, Sayawaka, and Koji Shimizu) are researching and explaining SH as lab researchers. You can watch the official video here.
Some of the concept they talk about:
Does Roman truly exist there?
Roman is a melodious and emotional album that stands out for its accessibility while retaining Sound Horizon’s signature complexity. Though filled with dark and tragic stories, it also carries a profound sense of love, making it one of the most beloved works among fans.
This album is significant as the first where Revo himself sang, attracting many new listeners. At the heart of its narrative is Hiver Laurant, a character whose existence is symbolized by the unfolding album cover—half-hidden when closed and fully revealed when opened. Alongside him, two dolls emphasize the album’s sense of mystery.
A key theme in Roman is the interplay between life and death, a recurring motif in Sound Horizon’s works. However, rather than leading toward death, Roman questions whether there is a place where Hiver can be born, giving it a unique focus on life.
Musically, Roman blends pop-like melodies with deep storytelling. While easy to listen to, it contains layers of meaning that set it apart from previous albums like Elysion. It acknowledges sorrow but also offers words that encourage perseverance, making it a work that resonates deeply with listeners.
Another defining feature of Roman is its use of multiple vocalists, enhancing its theatrical and narrative-driven nature. Rather than functioning like a typical rock album, it feels closer to a soundtrack or musical, further distinguishing Sound Horizon’s style.
Ultimately, Roman serves as an introduction to Sound Horizon’s storytelling albums, capturing the beauty of its melodies, the depth of its themes, and the unique way its narratives unfold.
Re:Master Project: This album, along with 10 others, was remastered on August 26, 2020 for the Sound Horizon's 15th Anniversary. It came with a postcard draw by Yokoyan.