‘MF GHOST’ Anime Theme Songs Announced

Voice actors Yū Serizawa and Himika Akaneya to sing opening and ending themes when broadcast begins in October 2023. Artist comments included!

Set for broadcast from October 2023, anime series ‘MF GHOST’ is the successor to the beloved high-speed road race series ‘Initial D’. Now, it has been announced that voice actors Yū Serizawa and Himika Akaneya will work on the opening and ending theme songs, respectively.

The opening theme 'JUNGLE FIRE feat. MOTSU' is sung by Yū Serizawa, a member of voice actor/idol hybrid unit i☆Ris, who also plays the role of Nozomi Kitahara in ‘MF GHOST’. The kinetic track is perfectly suited to the show's depiction of street racing battles. Over a track that embraces the strong sense of speed and groove reminiscent of the 1980s and '90s Eurobeat dance music genre, Yū Serizawa's poppy yet cool vocal style fuses with MOTSU's high-speed rap, resulting in a song with the unique addictive quality of Eurobeat that is sure to set your pulse racing.

Commenting on the opening song 'JUNGLE FIRE feat. MOTSU', Yū Serizawa said, “The Eurobeat sound reminiscent of ‘Initial D’ made my heart sizzle from the intro. On top of that, MOTSU laid down a rap filled with the intensity and coolness I could not express alone, making the song sound amazing. When I first heard about the ‘MF GHOST’ project, I was excited to see what kind of world I was about to dive into. I can't wait to experience the moment in the opening credits when my voice combines with the thrilling music and speed-racing visuals. As both a voice actor and an idol, I can't wait for audiences to see my hard work, and I'm sure you'll be excited too!”

MOTSU is a member of the Japanese group m.o.v.e, who worked on all of the opening theme songs to the anime series ‘Initial D’, and who also previously worked with Serizawa on the hit single 'EVERYBODY! EVERYBODY!' / ‘YOU YOU YOU’. MOTSU commented, “'MF GHOST! Let's do this!! I've been working on this for a long time, so I'm super excited to finally be able to shout about it! Let's deliver this story in festival style to all the fans who are waiting! And then there's Yū Serizawa, our ace in the hole. Knowing Seriko was at the wheel, I made this tune as peaky and crispy as possible. I'm convinced that what she has created in turn is something both old and new. I hope you enjoy this at maximum speed (within the legal limit of course).”

The ending theme song is performed by Himika Akaneya, who is also a member of i☆Ris. In addition to her work as a voice actor, Himika Akaneya is also active as an actor in movies and on stage, but this will be her debut performance as a solo artist. Himika Akaneya's song 'Stereo Sunset (Prod. AmPm)' is based on city pop, a genre that is hugely popular both in Japan and overseas, and Himika Akaneya was selected for her transparent singing voice that matches the vibe of the song, as well as her unique presence and awesome singing ability.

The track was produced by Japanese masked production duo AmPm, whose music is beloved by fans all over the world – indeed, 80% of their listeners are based outside of Japan. The track combines AmPm's delicate production skills and comfortable beats with nostalgic lyrics by ARAKI, who regularly writes music for idols, artists and voice actors, to deliver a unique spin on the city pop sound. Himika Akaneya's gentle singing voice at times veers on spoken word, and the result is a medium-tempo song that is warm and comforting.

Himika Akaneya commented on 'Stereo Sunset (Prod. AmPm)', saying, “The lyrics to this song reference imagery related to driving, such as the ‘stereo’ and ‘a neon heart reflected in the windows’, while the word ‘sunset’ melds perfectly into the song's relaxing melody, putting the listener right there in the scene. I think you will be able to immerse yourself in the lingering afterglow at the end of each episode of the anime. This will be my first time to sing solo, and while I do feel a little nervous, I'm very happy to be involved with the music for ‘MF GHOST’, which is a series loved by many fans. I hope that as each episode ends, this song's casual melody and poetic flow will touch your heart – even just a little. Please check it out.”

AmPm, who produced and arranged the music, and ARAKI, who wrote the lyrics, also commented.

AmPm said, “We are delighted to have worked on the ending theme song for ‘MF GHOST’. As the title of the song suggests, we created this song by imagining a sunset drive. We aimed to leave listeners with a sense of speed, allowing you to feel the shifting landscape in the afterglow of the day. We hope you will listen to Himika Akaneya's singing voice and immerse yourself in the afterglow of each episode!”

ARAKI commented, “Back in the day, cafes and ramen shops would have rows of ‘Initial D’ manga books that had been read until they were worn out. All these years later, it's an honor to be a part of this new story. I tried to find words that had a stylish retro sound and convey a sense of purity. I hope it will make you feel, 'Oh yeah! Now THAT's an anime ending song!”

Both songs will be released as singles, with Yū Serizawa's 'JUNGLE FIRE feat. MOTSU' out on October 18, 2023, and Himika Akaneya's 'Stereo Sunset (Prod. AmPm)' out on November 22, 2023.

Keep an eye out for future updates, including the full-length tracks and music video news!