Asian Kung-Fu Generation selected to perform theme song for last episode of Dr. Stone
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION has been announced as the performer of the opening theme for the third cour of Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE. Their latest track ‘Skins’ will be introduced when the anime returns on April 2nd, marking the commencement of the final chapter of the anime, which originally premiered in 2019. This upcoming cour will depict the Moon Mission Arc of the story, where Senku and the Kingdom of Science are gearing up for their ultimate showdown with Why-man. Dr. STONE, based on the manga by Riichiro Inagaki and Boichi, follows the journey of science genius Senku as he strives to rebuild civilization after humanity’s mysterious petrification.
Lead vocalist Masafumi Gotoh, the mastermind behind the writing and composition of the track, expressed his sentiment regarding the song crafted for the series: “Rather than them, perhaps it’s actually those of us outside the world of the anime who should be the ones to start civilization over from scratch. I’ve found myself thinking recently. I hope that beyond an era where people can truly travel to the moon, a bright future awaits. I wrote this song for Dr. STONE as something you can dance to while carrying all kinds of worries and differences.”
The song ‘Skins’ is scheduled to be released as a standalone single on May 27th with the inclusion of the B-side ‘Shioiri Nightfall’, penned and composed by guitarist Kensuke Kita. A snippet of ‘Skins’ can already be sampled in the latest promotional video for the forthcoming cour. Additionally, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION recently unveiled the music video for ‘Okaeri Johnny’, the lead track of their upcoming ‘Fujieda EP’ slated to drop on March 25th. The song features chorus vocals from singer and pianist Ikuko Harada of Clammbon.
The music video, filmed in Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, stars actress Hirona Yamazaki as a woman returning to her hometown after feeling disillusioned with city life. It initiates with Yamazaki savouring Fujieda’s local “morning ramen” (asa-ra), with frontman Masafumi Gotoh making a brief appearance as the shopkeeper serving her. The storyline progresses through flashbacks of her childhood companionship and initial band performances, interspersed with scenes of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION performing at MUSIC inn Fujieda, Gotoh’s residential recording hub where the EP was produced.
Preceding the launch, the band also disclosed the EP’s cover art designed by longtime collaborator Yusuke Nakamura, integrating wisteria flowers, Fujieda City’s official blossom. The EP will hit shelves right before ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION embarks on their 30th-anniversary celebration concerts. This includes the two-night “Thirty Revolutions” concert at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena in April, followed by global shows in Jakarta, Mexico City, Peru, and Santiago later this year.
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION has scheduled 30th-anniversary celebration events around the world, commencing in Sapporo, Japan, and then moving to various international locations like Mexico City, Lima, and Santiago. The upcoming EP ‘Fujieda EP’ promises to showcase the band’s signature sound and solidify their position in the Japanese music landscape.