Kumamoto-bred Japanese rock band BLUE ENCOUNTーwho have been garnering huge attention recently for the announcement of their nationwide tour set to begin on May 13, 2020ーwill perform the new opening theme song Hummingbird for the ongoing TV anime series Ahiru no Sora. The song will be introduced to the series this April.

Ahira no Sora is a popular basketball manga series written and illustrated by Takeshi Hinata. 51 volumes have been published in Japanese to date, making it known as Hinata’s masterpiece. Hear BLUE ENCOUNT add their positive messages into this manga seriesーone which paints a picture of youth days.

It has been announced that flumpool will perform the new opening theme Nevermind for the ongoing basketball anime series Ahiru no Sora. It will be used from January 8, 2020, and also be released digitally on the same day.

In 2019, the band came out of their indefinite hiatus after flumpool vocalist Ryuta Yamamura recovered from his functional vocal disorder, and the band successfully completed a nationwide tour in Japan. The band promised fans during the tour that they would go all out in 2020.

It was previously announced that flumpool would perform a special end-of-year concert in their hometown of Osaka at Osaka-jo Hall on December 30. It has now been revealed that vocalist Yamamura will feature as a regular presenter on the local Osaka radio show Radio Fields on FM802 starting in January. 2020 is already looking to be a huge start for the band.

Speaking about Neverland, Yamamura said: ‘We wrote the song about not losing to yourself. I was impressed by the [Ahiru no Sora] protagonist Sora Kurumatani, who finds no excuse for his height when playing basketball. Everybody more or less has their own complexes, some kind of disease or handicap. At the same time, they should also promise and vow that they will never lose to those things. At times, it’s something people have to live with and carry on their back, like a cross you can’t separate from. When I was diagnosed with functional vocal disorder last year, and my voice wouldn’t come out, I said these words to myself. “I’m not paying any attention to my hopeless self! Never mind! I’ll make it through to tomorrow the best I can. I won’t lose to myself.” This is a lifelong issue that’s much more difficult than putting into words. I believe Sora Kurumatani’s incredible courage will lead other people. We want to convey this song too while feeling that Neverland is responsible for a part of that happiness.”

It has been announced that Shogo Sakamoto’s upcoming 3rd single Mugen no Try (“Limitless Try”)―which will hit shelves on October―will be used as the opening theme for the upcoming anime adaptation of Shunsaku Yano’s rugby manga series Try Knights which will premiere on July 30.

A promotional video was released which features the theme song.

The song ties together with the world of the series with its powerful and liberating sound. The song was written and composed by Sakamoto himself who is set to star as the main character Riku Haruma. Masayoshi Ōishi was invited on board to produced the music which features powerful guitar riffs and a fast-paced sound.

The CD release of the single will arrive in a first press limited edition and regular edition. The limited edition is coupled with a DVD which features the music video for the title track Mugen no Try as well as a full live video of all Sakamoto’s best performances set taken from his 2019 “X -cross- ~Kokoro no Ensemble” solo tour. It’s also coupled with a 40-page photobook.

Regular edition copies include one special photo card randomly selected from several designs. There are also bonus items fans can pick up depending on which store it is purchased at in Japan.

Mugen no Try is now available to purchase digitally via online music platforms. Be sure to give it a listen in the run up to the full CD release.