A Weeb’s Guide into Japanese Music

By Kaung Khant Phone

Picture this: It’s Saturday night, you are waiting for your favorite anime shows to come on, as you are waiting for the clock to strike 8pm, the time seems to be going painfully slow. And then suddenly, the music you are awfully familiar with comes on, leaving you ecstatic everytime like a conditioned child. These memories are a big part of our childhood, deeply rooted in the collective consciousness of anime fans. Despite not understanding the lyrics back then, the pure passion conveyed by the vocalist resonated with us, offering a distinct separation between the brilliance of music composition and the vocal prowess of the singer. This journey into Japanese music unfolds as a unique and enriching experience for many of us.

If you are an avid anime watcher, chances are that a particular opening or ending has resonated with you, sparking that initial interest. Whether it's the hauntingly powerful opening of Attack on Titan, giving you goosebumps every time you hear it, or the emotionally charged "Secret Base," that makes you cry your balls out, Japanese music offers a diverse range of experiences. But if you ever felt like you want to branch out more—not only restricting yourself to just anime soundtracks—yet slightly overwhelmed, you've come to the right place. I'm here to introduce you to bands that not only appeared in anime soundtracks but also craft exceptional music independent of any anime associations.

YOASOBI is a Japanese pop duo formed in 2019 composed of Vocaloid producer Ayase and singer-songwriter Ikura. What sets them apart is their storytelling through music, with a majority of their songs under the band name unfolding narratives. The duo draws inspiration from stories found on Monogatary.com, a social media platform dedicated to creative writing under their label’s management. They also delve into works by professional authors, books, letters, and plays. Exploring the background stories behind their songs provides a distinct and immersive listening experience, offering a deeper connection to the music.

Their first release, "Yoru ni Kakeru," gained widespread attention on social platforms and secured the number one spot on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for a total of six weeks. This is followed by a series of other hit singles, including "Gunjō," influenced by the Blue Period manga series, and contributions to anime themes such as "Kaibutsu" and "Yasashii Suisei" for Beastars.

Recommended Songs:

1. Racing into the Night

2. Probably

3. Teaching the Dream

4. Encore

Yorushika is a Japanese rock duo that was formed in 2017, represented by Universal Music Japan. The group consists of N-buna, a Vocaloid music producer, and Suis, a female vocalist. Yorushika is known for their secrecy, as they have never publicly revealed their faces together. They are popular for their unique approach to music, where they combine upbeat instrumentation with poignant and melancholic lyrics.

Yorushika captured the hearts of anime fans with the endearing soundtrack “Ghost in A Flower” in the anime “A Whisker Away”. But their non-anime-related songs are nothing short of fascinating as well. Just like YOASOBI, there are burning stories behind each interconnected album “ That's Why I Give up on Music” and “Elma” where each song delves into compelling narratives of the characters like “Amy” and “Elma”. Their lyrics often explore themes such as love, human emotion, and often draw inspiration from works of literature across the world.

Recommended songs:

1. That’s Why I Gave Up On Music

2. Fireworks Beneath my Shoes

3. Just a Sunny Day for You

4. Hebination

Eve is a Japanese singer-songwriter and Vocaloid producer who is famous for having a distinctive, soft, flowing boyish voice. His work, especially his association with anime shows like "Jujutsu Kaisen," has brought him a sizable fan base and a lot of praise in the Japanese music industry. His songs also appear as theme songs in other popular anime series, including Chainsaw Man, My Hero Academia and Josee the Tiger and the Fish.

Recommended songs:

1. How to Eat Life

2. Dramaturgy

3. As You Like It

4. Heikousen

5. Gunjo Sanka