List of Theme Songs for Anime “Kaiju No. 8” Includes Popular Artists for Both Opening and Ending Songs

The anime “Kaiju No. 8” first aired its inaugural season in the spring of 2024, based on Naoya Matsumoto’s shonen manga of the same title serialized on the web manga platform ‘Shonen Jump+.’ The story follows Kafka Hibino, once who aspired to join the Japan Defense Force to defeat kaiju but now finds himself able to transform into one after a peculiar small kaiju enters his body.

Uniquely, both the opening and ending themes for “Kaiju No. 8” are performed by international artists, setting it apart in the anime world. This article provides a comprehensive list of theme and insert songs for both Seasons 1 and 2 of the series.

Japan, portrayed as a “kaiju superpower” with high kaiju activity, sets the backdrop for the series. Kafka, aged 32, after abandoning his dream of joining the Defense Force to clean kaiju remnants, decides to try again upon discovering the age limit increase for recruitment. However, a small kaiju entering his body grants him the ability to transform into a kaiju himself, earning him the moniker “Kaiju No. 8” as he is now pursued throughout Japan.

The anime is produced by Production I.G, known for other works such as “GHOST IN THE SHELL” and “PSYCHO-PASS.” The soundtrack is composed by Yuta Bandoh, who also contributed to the music for the drama “My Dear Exes” and co-composed for the anime film “Belle.”

In Season 2, the opening theme “You Can’t Run From Yourself” is performed by AURORA, a singer-songwriter hailing from Norway, marking her first venture into creating an anime opening theme in Japan. AURORA expressed her honor in crafting a song for “Kaiju No. 8” and her fondness for Japan, hoping her song brings her back to the country she cherishes.

On the other hand, the Season 2 ending theme “Beautiful Colors” is delivered by the American rock band OneRepublic, continuing their involvement from Season 1’s ending and the special edition “Hoshina’s Day Off.” Despite the differing style of their new track, the band poured their emotions into the song, hoping fans sense their dedication to this season and the series.

Season 1’s opening theme, “Abyss,” by British solo artist YUNGBLUD, illuminates Kafka’s inner conflict post-transformation into a kaiju in a grand and punk-influenced manner, resonating with the story’s essence. YUNGBLUD co-produced the track with Dan Reynolds, the lead of the Grammy-winning rock band Imagine Dragons, crafting the song while immersed in the narrative.

Artists like AURORA, OneRepublic, and YUNGBLUD, through their contributions to “Kaiju No. 8,” add an international flair to the series, enriching the experience for viewers and highlighting the global appeal of its themes and music.