2nd Page Keisuke Kuwata Writes His First Original Anime Theme Song! Audio Unveiled in Special Release Video for Anime "Akane-banashi," Along with 2nd Key Visual & Main PV | ANIME NEWS

Opening Theme Song Artist Keisuke Kuwata's Comment

I received a precious opportunity from the wonderful work "Akane-banashi," which features rakugo, an art form I also love deeply. At the age of seventy, I have written lyrics and composed music for an anime theme song for the first time. I was moved by how the female protagonist overcomes and confronts various difficulties, and receiving ample inspiration from the work, the song "Hitotarashi" was born. If I can add splendor to the success of young people, it would be my greatest honor!!

Original Story Creator Yuki Suenaga's Comment

Every time I listen to it, a smile spreads across my face. I even feel humbled, thinking "Is it okay to receive such a reward?" That's how much this is a song that embraces Akane-banashi. It's a song where you can feel the love for Jump. Just having the offer accepted was fortunate enough. On top of that, I'm overjoyed that he faced it with such sincerity. I want everyone to listen soon and be captivated. By the charm of "Hitotarashi."

Artist Takasho Baba

During summer vacation when I was in elementary school, I went to cram school every day. In the car driven by my mother on the way to cram school, the mega-hit song of that time "Naminori Johnny" was playing. Songs exist alongside our memories, and they bring back things like the temperature and smells of those times, don't they...?

Well, preamble aside! What! Keisuke Kuwata will be singing the theme song for the anime Akane-banashi! What an incredible thing! It was decided quite a while ago, but I've only recently started to really feel it! Actually, I've already listened to it hundreds of times, and my emotion increases proportionally with the number of times I listen! There's no doubt this song will become part of your memories this spring as you read Akane-banashi!

It's already become that for me, and I intend to talk about this song for generations to come! Being able to have these feelings is thanks to you, the readers who have supported Akane-banashi!! Thank you!! Let's all listen to this song to our hearts' content!! And to all the fans of Keisuke Kuwata, I would be happy if you could show favor to Akane-banashi.

Director Ayumu Watanabe

Rakugo called classical was classical from the moment it was created. I've read or heard that somewhere. Classical doesn't mean old versus new from a future perspective, but rather means possessing the resilience to transcend eras. People pass it down to the present day. Each time it's spoken on the stage, it is born anew. Surely it's always and forever new. Rakugo, whether new or classical, doesn't fear change. In other words, it seems to enjoy itself on the premise of change. Laying a cushion on top of the era. Expressing in words the gratitude for what has been inherited and the emotion of becoming part of rakugo and passing it on to the next generation.

Kuwata does exactly the same thing with his songs. I strongly felt that when I first heard the song provided for the anime "Akane-banashi." So gentle. So strong. And so joyfully embracing the work. Not fearing change, and because it's premised on that, I can listen to it around the clock. Thank you for a musical piece that's like a single rakugo story.

Producer Kazuki Endo (TV Asahi)

I still vividly remember the night when I wrote the offer letter to Kuwata. I put all my strength into trying to convey the enthusiasm of all the production staff and my own passionate feelings, and at first I was so nervous that I couldn't write well and rewrote it many times. Such a nerve-wracking letter may never come again in the future.

"Akane-banashi" is a work that directly depicts "rakugo," a traditional Japanese performing art. While cherishing what has been inherited from predecessors, adding new colors. In other words, tradition and innovation. I was convinced that if Keisuke Kuwata could do the theme song for such a work, it would definitely become something supreme. With that conviction, I made the offer in the form of a letter.

When I first heard the music, I was overwhelmed and simply amazed by how deeply he understood the worldview of "Akane-banashi" and how it possessed overwhelming appeal as Kuwata's music—I absorbed that power with my whole body. Once again, I express my maximum gratitude to Kuwata for writing such a wonderful piece of music. And I would be happy if many people could fully enjoy the resonance between the TV anime "Akane-banashi" and its theme song!

2nd Key Visual & 2nd Main PV Released

The released 2nd key visual depicts Akane Ōsaki performing rakugo with a folding fan in hand, along with her rivals and the top 2 members of the Arakawa school. In the 2nd main PV, the character voices of Kaisei Arakawa, Shiguma Arakawa, and Isshō Arakawa have been revealed for the first time.

Opening Theme Song Artist Special Release Video Unveiled

With this announcement, a release video drawn by animation studio ZEXCS has been unveiled. The information was released through this special video featuring new animation with voice acting performed by Keisuke Kuwata himself.

Special Release Video Scene Cuts