The Artists Creating Themes for Today's Popular Anime

LiSA

LiSA is an icon in the anime industry and has provided her unique voice to many successful anime franchises, including Sword Art Online, Demon Slayer, and the Fate series.

Before her successful career as LiSA, Risa Oribe (織部里沙) had humble beginnings. She took piano, dance, and vocal lessons early in her life and even participated in an audition held at Nippon Budokan.

It was during these years that LiSA found her passion for performing music. Later on, LiSA decided to skip university to pursue her dream of becoming an artist. Her first musical project was with the indie cover band Chucky.

Also Read: What Is "Demon Slayer" and Why Should You Watch It?

Unfortunately, Chucky eventually disbanded in 2008 and LiSA moved to Tokyo with the hopes of building a solo career. During this period, LiSA formed the band Love is Same All and started using the stage name LiSA.

In 2010, LiSA landed a major role as the singing voice of Yui in the anime Angel Beats!. A year later, she debuted as a solo artist and sang the main theme for Fate Zero. LiSA achieved mainstream success in the following years after performing for big anime franchises, such as Sword Art Online.

_{Source: Crossing Field - LiSA, Sword Art Online First Opening} 

Even after a decade since her debut, LiSA is still coming up with iconic songs for hit anime. In 2020, LiSA sang various theme songs for the Demon Slayer franchise. With her iconic voice, fans have dubbed LiSA the Queen of anime music.

LiSA’s Popular Anime Songs

• "Gurenge" - Demon Slayer Opening 1
• "Homura" - Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Soundtrack 
• "Crossing Field" - Sword Art Online Opening 1
• "Oath Sign" - Fate/Zero Opening 1
• "Girls Dead Monster Songs" - Angel Beats! Soundtrack (makes me cry every time - Ichiban no Takaramono).
• "Rising Hope" - The Irregular At Magic High School
• "Datte Atashino Hero" - My Hero Academia Season 2 Ending 2

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Yoasobi

YOASOBI is a Japanese music duo composed of producer and songwriter Ayase and singer-songwriter Lilas Ikuta/Ikura. YOASOBI's name came from the Japanese word "yoasobi" (夜遊び), which translates as "nightlife".

Prior to the formation of YOASOBI in 2019, both members were already active in the Japanese music scene. Ayase was a former member of the rock band Davici and was also a Vocaloid composer. His songs "Last Resort" and "Sentensei Assault Girl" helped him gain popularity. Ikura, on the other hand, was a member of the cover music group Plusonica.

YOASOBI was formed after Ayase received an offer from Monogatary.com, operated by Sony Music, for a collaboration project centered on novel-inspired songs. After Ayase found and recruited Ikura through Instagram, the duo started creating songs.

Also Read: Cool Collaboration Audio Accessories From Japan

YOASOBI's first song, "Yoru ni Kakeru," quickly became viral, contributing to the group's rapid success. After back-to-back hits, YOASOBI recruited keyboardist Zacro Misohagi, guitarist AssH, drummer Honogumo, and bassist Hikaru Yamamoto to form their live band.

With YOASOBI's rapid rise to stardom, anime studios soon started recruiting them to write and perform theme songs for their anime. YOASOBI's recent work includes the theme songs for Beastars Season 2 and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury. YOASOBI's latest hit "Idol", for the anime Oshi no Ko, also went viral and reached number one on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, and has been making waves around the world.

Yoasobi’s Popular Anime Songs

• "Idol" - Oshi no Ko Opening
• "The Blessing" - Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Opening
• "Kaibutsu (Monster)" - Beastars Season 2 Opening
• "Yasashii Suisei" - Beastars Season 2 Ending

_{Source: Idol - Yoasobi, Oshi no ko First Opening} 

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Kenshi Yonezu

Kenshi Yonezu is quickly becoming one of today's most iconic Japanese singers. He has released hits such as “Lemon” and “LOSER” and has also performed the theme songs of many well-known anime and movies, including Chainsaw Man and Shin Ultraman.

Also Read: Chainsaw Man - An Introduction

Kenshi Yonezu started his career as a Vocaloid composer under the name of Hachi. In 2009, his song "Musunde Hiraite Rasetsu to Mukuro" garnered 1 million views on Nico Nico Douga. Before producing Vocaloid songs, Kenshi Yonezu's original songs (which he sang) received little attention.

Kenshi Yonezu's Vocaloid songs became extremely popular and were featured in video games, such as Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Extend and Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F. They were also featured in Hatsune Miku's live concert Miku no Hi Dankanshasai.

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Despite his success as a Vocaloid producer, Kenshi Yonezu started moving away from the Vocaloid scene and focused on releasing solo albums featuring his real name and voice. His solo albums and concerts were a success, earning him a spot in the prestigious year-end TV program Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

With Kenshi Yonezu's success as a solo artist in Japan, companies started hiring him as the main composer for their projects. Today, he is well known for his work in Chainsaw Man, Children of the Sea, My Hero Academia, and many more.

_{Source: Kick Back - Kenshi Yonezu, Chainsaw Man First Opening}

Kenshi Yonezu’s Popular Anime Songs

• "Kick Back" - Chainsaw Man Opening
• "Peace Sign" - My Hero Academia Season 2 Opening
• "Umi no Yuurei" - Children of the Sea Theme Song
• "Uchiage Hanabi" - Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka? (Fireworks) Theme Song (Kenshi Yonezu and Daoko)
• "Orion" - March Comes in Like a Lion Ending Theme

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Official HIGE DANdism

Official HIGE DANdism (also referred to as Higedan) is a Japanese pop-rock band from Shimane, Japan. They are best known for their hit song "Pretender" and for providing the theme song for Spy x Family.

Also Read: Spy x Family - What You Need To Know

The band comprises lead vocalist Satoshi Fujihara, guitarist Daisuke Ozasa, bassist Makoto Narazaki, and drummer Masaki Matsuura. Official HIGE DANdism's name roughly translates to "Macho Mustache" or "Manly Mustache".

The band was formed in 2012 and released their debut album in 2015. It was in 2019 when they garnered mainstream success after releasing their song "Pretender."

_{Source: Pretender - Official HIGE DANDism Live at Songs of Tokyo Festival 2019 as televised by NHK World Japan.}

Since then, they have appeared in the 70th and 71st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and have been performing the main theme songs for various anime.

In 2021, Higedan wrote and performed "Cry Baby" for the anime Tokyo Revengers. The following year, they provided the song "Mixed Nuts" as the main theme for the hit anime Spy x Family. Most recently, in 2023, Higedan returned to the scene with "White Noise," the main theme for Tokyo Revengers Season 2.

Also Read: TOKYO REVENGERS : THE CHARACTERS & THE STORY

Official HIGE DANdism's Famous Anime Songs

• "Cry Baby" - Tokyo Revengers Opening
• "Mixed Nuts" - Spy x Family Opening
• "White Noise" - Tokyo Revengers Season 2 Opening
• "Yesterday" - Hello World Theme Song
• "Universe" - Doraemon: Nobita's Little Star Wars 2021 Theme Song

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SiM

SiM is a Japanese alternative metal band from Kanagawa Prefecture. They are best known for their hit songs “Killing Me” and “The Rumbling.”

^{Source: The Rumbling - SiM, Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 2 Opening}

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The band is composed of lead vocalist MAH (Manabu Taniguchi), guitarist SHOW-HATE (Shouhei Iida), bassist SiN (Shinya Shinohara), and drummer GODRi (Yuya Taniguchi). SiM stands for “Silence iz Mine”.

SiM formed in 2004 and released their debut album in 2008. SiM would continue to grow their fanbase in the following years, allowing them to go on bigger tours and join big festivals, such as Summer Sonic Festival 2012.

In 2014, SiM provided the main theme for the anime Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis. In 2017, SiM returned to provide the main theme for Shingeki no Bahamut’s second season.

SiM’s biggest anime-related project was performing the main theme for Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin): The Final Season Part 2. Despite sounding heavier and completely different from Attack on Titan’s other theme songs, “The Rumbling” was well-received by fans.

Also Read: 5 Surprisingly Dark Anime To Check Out

SiM’s scream vocals and down-tuned guitars perfectly embodied Eren’s rage and wrath and were the perfect theme song for the season. The band returned for Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 3, with the ending song “Under the Tree.”

SiM's Famous Anime Songs

• "The Rumbling" - Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 2 Opening
• "Existence" - Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis (Rage of Bahamut: Genesis) Opening
• "Let It End" - Shingeki no Bahamut: Virgin Soul Opening
• "Under the Tree" - Attack on Titan: The Final Season Ending Theme

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SUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER is a Japanese rock band from Tokyo. They are known for their live performances and for providing theme songs for anime series such as Naruto: Shippuden and My Hero Academia. The band comprises bassist Kenta Uesugi, vocalist Ryūta Shibuya, guitarist Ryōta Yanagisawa, and drummer Hiroaki Fujiwara.

SUPER BEAVER was formed in 2005 and officially debuted in 2009. Despite debuting with a major record label company, the band returned to the indie scene in 2011 and created their own record label (IxLxP RECORDS) in 2012.

Also Read: How To Buy Vinyl Records From Japan

During this era, SUPER BEAVER spread their name to the local Japanese music scene through live shows. They regularly perform around a hundred live shows per year. SUPER BEAVER's popularity helped them secure a spot at Nippon Budokan in 2018.

SUPER BEAVER signed with Sony Music for their 15th anniversary. Under Sony Music, SUPER BEAVER has released hit songs such as "Highlight" and "Hitori de Ikiteitanaraba."

As for anime music, SUPER BEAVER is best known for their song "Shinkokyuu", which was used as the ninth ending theme for the fifth season of Naruto: Shippuden. SUPER BEAVER also performed the opening song "Rashisa" for Barakamon in 2014, and "Single-Minded", the opening theme for season 6 of My Hero Academia.

_{Source: Hitamuki - SUPER BEAVER, My Hero Academia 6th Opening Theme}

SUPER BEAVER’s Popular Anime Songs

• "Rashisa" - Barakamon Opening Theme
• "Shinkokyuu" - Naruto Shippuden Ending Theme
• "Douhyou" - Naruto: Shounen Hen Opening Theme
• "Single-Minded/Hitamuki" - My Hero Academia Opening 6
• "Toppakou" - Haikyuu Season 4 Opening 2
• "Gradation" - Tokyo Revengers 2: Blood Halloween OST

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