Kaiju No. 8’s use of Western artists for the opening and ending theme was a bold move by the series, and it became one of the most popular elements of the franchise. Tamiko Kawasaki, the label head at Universal Music and the individual responsible for Kaiju No. 8’s theme songs, revealed in the interview with Oricon how they came up with the plan. She stated:
We strongly requested that they put their heart into the first 5 seconds. Since Netflix displays a skip intro button, we directed them to create a song that wouldn’t get skipped by viewers eager to watch the main anime.
According to her, they wanted the creators to make songs with a catchy start that would instantly grip Kaiju No. 8 fans’ attention, and luckily, the move worked in their favor. In fact, it became so big that the series used the same move for the second season and elevated the experience of the Kaiju No. 8 anime series.
How Kaiju No. 8’s Use of Western Music Elevated the Series’ Experience
Most Japanese anime series rely on traditional methods of adapting manga, as these approaches are generally seen as a safer path to success. Kaiju No. 8 wanted to stand out, and the creators of the series decided to involve Western music artists for the opening and ending themes, which created a lot of controversy in the beginning. The series was criticized for straying from conventional anime methods, and many assumed that it would fail.
However, once the series came out and fans got to experience the opening and ending themes of the first season, they realized that it helped in elevating the experience of the series. The music added a fresh, dynamic layer to the series and helped it reach a broader international audience. Usually, opening and ending themes are skipped by fans, but Kaiju No. 8 became one of the few series that motivated fans to listen to the entire themes.
The artists who contributed to the first season theme songs were English songwriter Yung Blud and the popular Pop band OneRepublic. The second season saw OneRepublic return for the ending theme song, while the opening theme song was recorded by Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora. OneRepublic also created the ending theme song for the “Hoshina’s Day Off” original episode.
Kaiju No. 8 Might Have Sparked Mixing Western Themes With Japanese Anime
Japanese anime series and movies have followed traditional themes and elements for decades. It has majorly contributed to the industry becoming mainstream and allowed for new ideas and experimental storytelling to gain acceptance more gradually. However, Western inclusion often stands out, be it references, character developments, or plot progressions.
Kaiju No. 8 became the first series to create a significant shift from the typical Japanese pop or rock soundtracks for the opening and ending themes, and even though it was noticeable, it still worked in its favor. Over time, this integration of Western music into anime gained traction, and other series also started following the trend.
It might just be a small step, but it was a crucial one as it will most likely pave the way for a fusion between Western themes and Japanese styles. Do you think this move will help the anime industry in the future or ruin the essence of the community that has been kept intact for so many years? Let us know below!
Kaiju No. 8 is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
