It has been announced that Keisuke Kuwata of the popular band Southern All Stars will be performing the opening theme song "Hitotarashi / Hitotarashi" for the TV anime "Akane-banashi). The song will be a completely original piece, with Kuwata in charge of both the lyrics and the music. This is the first time that Kuwata has written both the lyrics and the music for an anime theme song since his debut in 1978. The second promotional video using the song has been released on YouTube.
The announcement was made on February 26th, Kuwata's 70th birthday. Kuwata commented, "I was given the precious opportunity to compose and write the lyrics for an anime theme song for the first time at the age of 70, thanks to the wonderful work "Akane-banashi," which is based on rakugo, a form of storytelling that I am also a big fan of. I was deeply moved by the female protagonist's struggle to overcome various obstacles, and was fully inspired by the work to create the song "Hitotarashi/Hitotarashi." I would be extremely happy if I could add some luster to the achievements of these young people!!"
A special anime video by Zexxs, the anime production company, has been released on YouTube. The video features Kuwata as a character in the anime, and Kuwata himself provided the voice acting. An illustration of Kuwata in a kimono drawn by Takamasa Bajo, the original illustrator, has also been released.
Original author Suenaga Hiroki said, "Every time I hear it, my mouth breaks into a smile. I even feel a bit embarrassed, thinking, 'Is it okay to receive such a reward?' It's a song that is so close to Akane-banashi. You can feel the love for Jump in it. I was fortunate that they accepted the offer so readily. What's more, I'm so happy that they took it so seriously. I can't wait for everyone to hear it and be drawn in. The charm of 'Deception'."
Illustrator Umagami said, "When I was in elementary school, I went to cram school every summer holiday. My mother would drive me to cram school and the huge hit song from that time, 'Surfing Johnny', would play in the car. Songs are associated with our memories, and they remind us of the temperature and smells of that time, don't they...? Anyway, enough of the introduction! What a surprise! Keisuke Kuwata will be singing the theme song for the Akane-banashi anime! What a surprise! It was decided quite some time ago, but it's only recently that it's really dawned on me! I've actually listened to it hundreds of times, and the more I listen to it, the more moved I am! I'm sure this song will become a memory of this spring for all of you who read Akane-banashi! I already have, and I plan to talk about this song for generations to come! It's all thanks to you, the readers who have supported Akane-banashi! Thank you! Let's all listen to this song over and over again! I would also be delighted if all of Keisuke Kuwata's fans would continue to support Akane-banashi."
Director Watanabe Ayumu commented, "Rakugo that is called a classic has been a classic since it was created. I think I read or heard it somewhere. Classic means something that is viewed from the future, not old or new, but something that has the ability to transcend time. It is passed down by people to the present day. Every time a story is told on stage, it is born. It is surely always new. Rakugo, whether new or classic, is not afraid of change. In other words, it seems to be enjoyed with the assumption that change will occur. It is like laying a cushion on top of the times. It puts into words gratitude for what has been passed down and the emotion of becoming a part of rakugo and passing it on to the next generation. Kuwata does exactly the same thing with his songs. I felt this strongly when I first heard the song he wrote for the anime "Akane-banashi." It is so gentle. So strong. And so joyful, a song that is so closely aligned with the work. It is because it is not afraid of change, and assumes that it will occur that I can listen to it all the time. Thank you for the song, which is like a storyteller."
TV Asahi producer Endo Kazuki said, "I can still vividly remember the night I wrote the letter offering the role to Kuwata. I tried to put as much passion as I could into it, along with the enthusiasm of the entire production staff, but I was so nervous at first that I couldn't write it well, so I rewrote it many times. I don't think I'll ever be so nervous writing a letter again. ' Akane-banashi' is a work that depicts 'rakugo,' a traditional Japanese art form, head-on. It cherishes what has been passed down from our predecessors, while adding new colors. It's a combination of tradition and innovation, so to speak. The theme song for this work is by Keisuke Kuwata. "If he could do that, it would surely be the best thing ever. With that conviction, I sent him an offer in the form of a letter. When I first listened to the song, I was overwhelmed by how deeply he had taken on the worldview of ' Akane-banashi', and how it has the overwhelming appeal of Kuwata's music - I was completely immersed in that power and was completely overwhelmed. Once again, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to Kuwata for writing such a wonderful song. And I would be delighted if many people could enjoy the resonance between the TV anime ' Akane-banashi' and the theme song!"
It was also announced that the anime will be broadcast on TV Asahi's anime slot "IMAnimation" every Saturday at 11:30 pm starting April 4th. Prior to the broadcast, screening events will be held in New York on April 1st and in Boston on April 4th. An official YouTube channel for the work has also been launched for overseas audiences.
"Akane-banashi" is a rakugo manga written by Suenaga and illustrated by Umagami, which began serialization in the magazine in February 2022. It depicts Akane Sakurazaki, a girl whose father is a rakugo performer, as she becomes a high school student and overcomes challenges as she strives to become a master in the world of rakugo. The comic has sold over 3 million copies in total.
The anime will be directed by Watanabe and produced by Zexys. Anna Nagase will play the main character, Akane Sakurazaki, and Takuya Eguchi will play Takuya Eguchi Renma, while Rie Takahashi will play Rie Takahashi Takaragi. Rakugo performer Kikuhiko Hayashiya will be in charge of supervising the rakugo.
